far be it from me to be optimistic. However, the rationale for this years mini torch Xmas Eve/day seems to be the shifting of the pattern. the rainstorm day later cutting west is pulling up warm air. Could happen even in the best of patterns at our latitude without a deep wedge over NY state. That storm cuts west feeds the trough to the NE that drives a change as it looks in my eyes. To me, thats easier to swallow rather than the sustained WAR, -PNA, +NAO death combo with no end insight kind of deal we had last winter because it seems that things could get better if these ensemble means have legs. If not, then we are fooked with no lubricant once again. If our climate is Charlotte in a few years imagine how weenies in Charlotte feel....they are looking at JAX climate. Which means Florida will boil in its own pudding.