Better than putting warm everywhere, which is what you assume they did. I don't have archive of all their outlooks, I'm sure it exists though. Last Summer they had 100% of the CONUS with above average temps, and 100% of the CONUS did actually finish with above. My map is Temp departures. The other is % probability for above or below average. Both scales are listed on the maps.

Also, why don't these maps look alike at all? If we're directly comparing the same outlooks.

Comparing things against it is really good information. For example here is the typical Summer developing Strong El Nino pattern vs the current CPC forecast

Hard bust in your area! Wonder what their outlooks were for spring 2023 and 2022?