I could see backing off of the ACE correlations that are applicable during La Niña, but I would certainly be skewing most aspects of a seasonal outlook towards cool ENSO.
Probably some -NAO/PNA early, +NAO/PNA in February with more blocking in March. I'll be looking at the extra tropical Pacific late this month when I return from Africa.
We don't need indexes in this new, warmer climate. Just stick a thermo in the piss-pool east of Japan and call it a day.
Seriously, though...I do agree that there is a ceiling on our winter potential until that changes.
That is not as strongly positive as I had suspected. I'm doing a lot of seasonal work on the polar domain right now...will be interesting to see if we jive again.