I agree it isn't coupled as of yet....ie the ocean and atmosphere are not communicating. The SST configuration over the tropical Pacific belies what is actually happening in the atmosphere to a degree. That should change later this fall, but its a great illustration of why operating on the premise of a super el nino is so suspect. That doesn't necessarly preclude a mild, relatively snowless witnter as being the final outcome for the east, but it is what it is.