What do you mean "on paper it is dumb", on paper it is genius because spending just 2 dollars gives you the chance to afford to live at the most beautiful and snowy place in the US. Sounds like good odds to me!

Sounds about right for places out of the east wind zones. Maybe some 30s here and there.

A majestic work of art!!

I don’t think this is true. Unless you are talking about just those winters. Even though we’ve had some good events the past decade only 2016-17 and 2022-23 were REGIONALLY cold.

Down to 997mb pretty quick.