Maestrobjwa

This here...is why I'm a tad anxious about how things turn out this winter--because it could have implications for the future. Could we not say that by the end of this winter we'll know if our snow climo is more damaged? Because I mean...if we get money looks and they don't work as well...that is foreboding. Because then you couldn't say "try again next year", because the over climo would be more hostile. So this winter is gonna be very important for our future snow prospects...and that's a tad nerve-wracking. Our snow future could be riding on what we see this year, couldn't it?

Now on those maps you guys post...above normal heights are shown in red?

Well I've certainly learned something this evening...especially the part about the Chinook effect...and why an EPO ridge is helpful (though I still need clarity on exactly what it is). Thanks for breaking that down!

Well in your case, I kinda assume that...lol

No...from what the knowledgeable posters have said on here...doesn't have to be PERFECT...but just not hostile. (I think PSU said something to the effect of...when other things are great all an opposing factor has to be is mediocre and we can still make things work)

Ya mean like this? (sorry mods I couldn't resist)

To clarify my analogy, Strat warming=hammer Jello=vortex

Now in my brain...I have a picture of a big hammer smashing a huge glob of jello...and when it does, the jello splits...but how the pieces of the jello separate is kinda random. Is that kinda how it is with the strat warming and the vortex?

See that? Heard several saying with some definity that "oh I have feeling the Ravens are gonna go 11-5 and miss the playoffs"...whereas the reality was that the odds were on our side (as long as we win out of course). Sure, the worst wasn't impossible, so I kinda get the fear, but the odds were a bit against it. So now we know missing the playoffs in that particular way can't happen...And now we just bite our nails for the Bengals game, lol I think it could end up being close...wouldn't be surprised if a little bit more adversity is necessary before the playoffs if we are to make it!

Its actually worse than last year because we have the high latitude blocking and we still not tracking anything of significance but its worse for me because on paper we should be killing it Yo how can you possibly say that? We have a vulnerable polar vortex this year...that ALONE is better than last year!

Looks like a SBW (sudden beach warming)

Ah so you have seen him lurking?

Kinda where I'm at...in my mind this winter is literally up in the air at the moment, lol Perhaps this may tell us about where we are with our snow climo in general...(which is slightly nerve-wracking)

Which forum?

Not sure that answered my question, though lol

Now see that there...was gonna be my next question. See, based on that winter, I thought if it was warm up there it would be cold down here...but I'm guessing it's not that simple? (is anything about winter simple? Lol)

Okay, so the Yukon is our main source region of cold? Now how does that work? (is that related to what you were saying with your map earlier?)

So could we say that perhaps 10-14 days from now we'll have a better idea of how the winter might shape up?...

With all the mixture of pessimism and impatience in here...I'm losing a sense of where we are here...Are folks impatient or are the LR looks actually not looking as good as they were a week ago?

Sending Merry Christmas blessings to all of you! Be careful not to let any snow worries cloud this special day...bask in the hope and joy of Christmas (yes, believe it or not, it is there even in a year like this). God bless!

And I have heard 30s and 40s are indeed some of the best... Indeed! Give thanks for each day, and when ya hit a new birthday, give even more thanks! (because there's probably plenty of stuff in between that coulda done you in but didn't, lol) And yes...snow days? All the better! Count those blessings too (and be careful not to be too picky about how it comes)

Thank you (I think ) Haha Well, as far as the biological, physical peak is concerned speaking, that ain't completely wrong!! (Look at how soon after 30 we start callin' pro athletes "aging"). But hey, good thing that's just for athletic things!

You're a mean one, Mr Grinch...for sharing that, lol

Well folks...by the grace of God, I cross the threshold to age 30 today! Very thankful and looking forward to where He takes me this decade . And I don't mind the weather too much today because I consider the snow last week that came on Beethoven's 250th as an early birthday present above...that was an awesome day too!

Ya know, the only thing that took away the sting of that loss was the Superbowl we won the next year. Much more memorable story...so I can't be upset at what happened the year before anymore--because I daresay that helped set things up the greatness that would follow the next year!