The good news is that -NAO/-AO in December is often followed by more bouts of blocking later in the winter. there are a few exceptions...89-90 it disappeared and never came back....
I think this is what has some down-this map is from 11/30 for valid date 12/13--looks like it was too fast in the end which makes sense-models always too fast for pattern changes and also too fast to break them down
Severe weather event on the Euro down south in about a week. Gets cold here but it's not til day 10. That's about it for a the next 7-10 days on the euro
It's better later in the season. It will cut off the cold air supply so in Jan/Feb it at least has a better chance of trapping a decent airmass (which is what happened in 2009-10 winter). In December you're likely to trap a crap airmass and that's exactly what we are getting....
That much is true. People discounted it b/c "it's the GFS" but have to look at all guidance. EPS was bad in 19-20 as well showing a good pattern 2nd half of winter that never came.