La Nina's are called such because they are the cold phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation index. Basically the ENSO is simply a way of determining a warm or cool phase of the Pacific Ocean equatorial coverage of thunderstorm development due to the forcing caused by warming or cooling of the equator in the Pacific Ocean. You have different regions in which the ENSO is measured, the NINO has different locations that mean different things. A cooling of the equator west of Mexico is a La Nina (cold phase), a warming is a El Nino (warm phase). There are research graphics you can look up on google just for simply verifications. Also, a La Nina favors a Southeast Ridge. Now, while the flow does become compressed as a SE Ridge flexes against the northern stream troughs, it does not mean the flow has to remain progressive, or that bombogenesis does not occur, it just means it occurs too late for the NE CONUS. A large boundary does develop along the NC and SC coastlines but not because of the SE Ridge but because of the natural baroclinic (difference in temperature over a short distance) develops from the presence of the Gulf Stream which is still over 65F. Oceans do not warm or cool quickly, instead their minimums and maximums are offset compared to atmospheric climates. Because the ocean absorbs heat or cooler air, it cools and warms at a much larger rate than the atmosphere does. ENSO phases have nothing to do with Atlantic Ocean temperatures warm or cold. OH the PV is not in Maine, but instead in Canada, it is rather rare the vortex even comes as far south as International Falls, Minnesota. What has been happening in the TEXAS and OK regions is quite rare.