I'm in the over camp as well. Sure we'll get a window end of month/early Feb but I'd bet is underwhelming and likely a cutter track due to persistence of the pattern
The Jan thread over there is a comical trainwreck...reality is setting in, it's not happening. MJO skipped right over 8 and 1....so we have a small window...maybe
I have held off booking a VT trip so far. Don't want to pay big bucks for the family and have 01-02 type conditions. (I have the epic pass for a west coast trip so that helps)
This is a new wildcards as well last couple of winters-makes alot of analogs from colder periods not as reliable. I also heard a rule of thumb that when the SST's are above normal off the east coast, "hit and hold" cold is less likely.
The warning signs were there. The intial runs in late Nov were great but then future runs started showing the blocking too far south and linking up with the SE ridge at times. (which is exactly what happened in the end)