While I think this is a long shot given this isn’t traditional at all (no true cold source + WAA setup) ... I think the primary key is the shortwave digging into the Dakotas as our trough attempts its best to dig and tilt as much as it can. The farther south and stronger this piece is, the quicker our trough is forced east… ultimately less digging and an even more positively tilted look.
The “good” runs that show a better snow footprint have this feature along or north of the US/Canada border. The latest “meh” runs have it much farther south, putting more pressure on the backside of the trough and kicking it out.
Really a thread-the-needle situation. I find some solace in the fact that these Canadian energy pieces often move around quite a bit, even within the 60-72 hour window, so I think there’s still room for movement (I wouldn’t get my hopes up)… but alas, we track!
This also doesn’t solve the lack of cold air. Even with a perfect dig, still need the perfect balance of precip-driven cooling in marginal temperatures (even worse during daylight hours if you’re in the Carolinas), without so much amplification that you introduce an excessive amount of WAA.
**Attached GIF is of old runs that had better snowfall footprints