extended guidance like that often overdoes the influence of ENSO. we saw that last year. given the ample momentum in the Pacific jet so far I wouldn't resign myself to thinking that we're going to see a canonical -ENSO Feb... nothing about the current or upcoming pattern is canonical
seems like the Pacific trough retrogrades quickly around NYE. could take a week or so to flush out the warmer air, though with no blocking it shouldn't take forever. probably get into a legitimately colder pattern around 1/7