Looking at the eps, reason they are getting bit more amped is they are digging the southern s/w more in the south. Culprit could be pna ridge previously was getting sawed off up near AK due to lower hgts. This lead to a broad ridge which causes more positive tilted trough allowing the cold to run east and less phasing. Last couple runs are losing that which is leading to a more amplified pna ridge allowing for the s/w to dig more. This really flexes the se ridge which in turn shoves the cold air advancement from the clipper more northeast instead of east. Also, the tpv has trended a bit further north as well which has allowed the se ridge to gain more traction but I think that is merely related to the s/w in the south digging more. Going into these 0z runs, watch the pna, how much energy phases out west, and how strong the southern stream s/w is in the south. It's a catch 22 here, you want a potent storm to bring good qpf, but that also may enhance the se ridge and push the thermal bndry over the region.