I'm not convinced that it's gonna be like 11-12 because the pattern is not fully coupled with the Nina.
Last winter was already a 11/12 style winter. I think it'll be much more variable than people think.
There is potential for this winter to blow 2011/12 out of the water regarding the warmth.
Imagine seeing widespread blooms in Dec/Jan, insane stuff.
There's also a chance we go through some odd snowy/cold periods.
We should easily see a record warm November. Temps could shoot into the 70s on multiple days in this pattern which now could last all month.
Very Dec 2015 like.
It's going to be an odd winter. The unusual western anomalies and the big Nina dip are out of sorts.
The last couple winters were Ninos with Nina like patterns, I don't know what this winter will yield. I don't even think you can use past analogs anymore.
Things are no longer as clear cut as they used to be.
Apparently La Nina's with high ACE are favorable for winter (1995, 2010).
ETA could eventually push the ACE past 160-165.
Also November is not a winter month imo so it could torch all it wants if that means December is good.
Maybe that's good news. The last few years with cold/snow in November led to a torch/snowless winter.
At least the pattern looks different for once.
Of course it could end up like 11/12 where every month torches.
That's pretty much a given. Very good chance it ends up much stronger than forecast.
In addition ensembles show an additional Caribbean storm or two in the days ahead. I think an ACE above 160 is very likely when all is said and done.
We're really feeling the AGW effects now.
It seems as though 2015/2016 was a tipping point with the mega Nino. I think every winter from this point on will be warm/wet or warm/dry.
Snow will be unlikely but not impossible as years like 2016/2017 could still happen.
However this year will likely be another 2011/2012 style winter.