Easy explanation to crappy pattern. It's not enough anymore that NAO/AO is very negative.
We need a strong PNA due to warmer SSTs causing stronger ridging east of New England and more south based blocks.
This is more true for 1st half of winter. This is why Decembers have sucked over the last 10-12 years and why Jan-March have seen better patterns.
NAO block was too far south, which allowed it to link with SE ridge at times and there wasn't much of a PNA to counteract it.
That's why this month sucked. Simple explanation
A good PNA ridge is becoming a most for winter particularly in December
It's not done yet and just because you didn't experience anything major doesn't mean it's not significant.
A lot of places are seeing major coastal flooding right now. A lot of places have already had 50+ gusts.
The temperature drop will be very significant. From mid to upper 50s to single digits with wind-chills in the -10 to -15 range.
I notice this happens during strong CAD, onshore flow in the spring/early summer & with arctic fronts otherwise temps will usually be warmer than forecast
I doubt it stays there very long. This is not 2011/12 where it's parked all winter.
The pessimism is a little much. If it's a ratter then so be it but declaring winter over when it barely started is silly imo.
Yeah the impact this time will be significantly worse than their previous lake effect storm.
It's much colder, winds will be ferocious and there's even lake flooding expected.
I think that's ridiculously premature to declare. Most of our snow comes from a couple storms which is very possible Jan 15 - March 30.
We'll know by mid Jan what the future might bring and if it looks shitty with no improvement in sight then I'll give it to you.
Despite the very cold anomalies coming, I actually think the warm anomalies for Dec 30 - Jan 10 will be even greater.
I think one or two days could even make a run at 70+
I think most places will gust to 45-50mph fairly easily & frequently
But higher localized gusts up to 60 mph are also possible probably near the coast and ahead of the arctic front.
That could be a problem given 1-3" of rain could fall ahead of the winds. We even have Flood Watches up.
Models also hint at flash freezes with moisture still present as temps quickly dive below freezing.