It did get to phase 8 twice, although for a couple days each. That being said, both phase7 periods ended up snowy for the NE.
What I am curious about is the large snowstorm the GFS, EURO AI and now the ICON are showing. The only favorable telecommunications are the RNA coupled with the negative AO, which is only SLIGHTLY negative. I would think this would lead to an inside track. Could the FAST flow be helpful here in pushthe storm east before it can gain too much latitude?