I think the teleconnection forecast to a degree helps to determine whether performance/snowfall forecast was due to skill or luck....akin to run differential. For instance, last year I was very accurate with all of the teleconnections, but it just didn't snow. in 2014-2015, I totally whiffed on the polar domain, but hit on the snow....last year I was unlucky and in 2014-2015 I was lucky.