it's early-snow is generally rare around here before xmas. I'll jump the ledge in Mid Jan-if it doesn't come by then, it's usually not coming...years like 06-07 are outliers in that regard where the cold really did come 2nd half
2013-14 2014-15 type patterns. Strong -EPO to deliver the cold. Atlantic blocking is good too-but if it's pacific origin air you're just trapping a crappy airmass and that's what I see with this at least for a couple of weeks
that cold pool south of AK is cause for concern for sure. We've also been dry out side of the last week of October....want storms right now even if they're cutters