I think if the heights crash enough, we can alleviate that, somewhat....like a mini 2015 type deal....the gradient is displaced more to the south that run, since the ambient heights are so low in the NE.
Looks like the difference was that the SW energy was more proficiently ejected into the N stream energy that came over the EPO ridge...the SW energy was more lethargic in joining the fray on 00z.
That is the legit upside that we were talking about.
Note how it goes from the 1001 to 990mb in 6 hours under LI.....that is what you want for good banding, as the rate of deepening is due to the mid levels coming together. You don't need to see a 960mb low for a major storm.
I agree with you...I think that is the path to a really significant snow event, as I'm not crazy about a big coastal until maybe near the end of the month.