You are right in that this has been nothing like January 1985 which only had .50" up here. The valleys have been a bit drier in relation to average, at least down here... And of course this comes after a dry October, November, and December...
That blast is sure looking dry right now, but a lot of time for that to change. The operational and ensembles are looking pretty good. 06z probably had the coldest mean yet.
Zonal flow! http://models.weatherbell.com/eps/2014012700/noram/eps_m_z500a_c_noram_38.png Don't worry it doesn't last! http://models.weatherbell.com/eps/2014012700/noram/eps_m_z500a_c_noram_49.png And when February ends... http://models.weatherbell.com/eps/2014012700/noram/eps_m_z500a_c_noram_65.png