It's gonna feel like a total winter bonanza if even an average type of season occurs, lol. Don is also favoring warmer than average for the region, but these snow amounts are well within the realm of plausible as long as the winter isn't an all-out torch. I do think we are likely to see at least one intense arctic outbreak in the Midwest (maybe more) as cold air buildup in Canada does not seem like it will be a problem... it'll just be a matter of unloading it southward.

In a perfect world, I’d like it timed during the lowest sun angles from late Dec into early Feb. While Feb/Mar can bring big time snowstorms, I feel after mid Feb I tend to loose interest bc of the swings in temps and maintain a snow cover. 2013-14 was an exception when I lived in Chicago. I’ll never forget it. My next chapter out west will serve me best up in Rockies or Sierra Mtns. One of these days, I’ll have to rent a cabin or Airbnb for a month straight or longer and enjoy the deep deep snowpack and scenery. Snow on Snow!

Extreme wind is my least favorite weather.

And the twelve dollar prize banquet for "First Snow of 2024-25" goes to Mister and Misses South Hillington Frosty. You'll be able to cash in your free banquet AND a bonus hour in the forum ballpit if you bring a fresh snowball to KOMO4's live studio in downtown Seattle. Preferably concealing inside a USB containing a zip bomb targeting Sinclair's email. Congratulations!

Models are just not backing off rapidly developing that intense mega low. 12z Euro at HR 108 (4-run trend/only 00z/12z runs) Looks to be trending that trough/axis a bit further to the south which spins up that intense mega low just a notch closer. If that trend continues look out! Alaskan blocking looks to becoming prominent now too. Hmmm....