Last Winter's N. American pattern fit Strong El Nino/-PDO almost perfectly. ENSO actually has a 30-40% correlation with the PDO, it's bigger effect is on the North Pacific High, which is off the west coast, vs the PNA which is more west-based Pacific events, and more associated with PDO patterns. The North Pacific Ocean circulation is not really aligned with equilateral ENSO SSTs, they are at different longitudes.. I would take a +PDO/La Nina any day. La Nina's are cold and dry. El Nino's are wet and warm. ENSO effects more of the eastern Pacific.