Storm5 link said:
agreed , in fact I'm starting to get on the 4-6 weeks of a general cold pattern before it all goes to hell late January. Obviously not sustained cold for 4-6 weeks. but enough of a cold pattern to give us chances vs having to wait on a pattern shuffle. I was sold on a pattern breakdown before the new year, I have doubts now
The current and forecasted MJO is in full agreement with cold as it is and will continue to be within the circle for awhile per the EPS. Within or just outside the circle (i.e., low amplitude), especially on the left side, is what one wants to see for the best shot at a sustained cold pattern as it has a better correlation to SE US cold than being well outside the circle:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/MJO/CLIVAR/ECMF_phase_51m_full.gif
Historic examples of low amplitude MJO (mainly either inside or just outside the circle) when the SE was cold:
Jan 1977 (red line): http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mjo/graphics/archive/MJO_phase/197701.phase.90days.gif
Jan 1982 (red line): http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mjo/graphics/archive/MJO_phase/198201.phase.90days.gif
Dec 1983 (blue line): http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mjo/graphics/archive/MJO_phase/198310.phase.90days.gif
Early Jan of 1988 (red line): http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mjo/graphics/archive/MJO_phase/198801.phase.90days.gif
Dec of 1989 (blue line): http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mjo/graphics/archive/MJO_phase/198910.phase.90days.gif
Dec of 2000 (blue line): http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mjo/graphics/archive/MJO_phase/200010.phase.90days.gif
Jan of 2010 (red line): http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mjo/graphics/archive/MJO_phase/201001.phase.90days.gif
Dec of 2010 (blue line): http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mjo/graphics/archive/MJO_phase/201010.phase.90days.gif
Jan of 2014 (red line): http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mjo/graphics/archive/MJO_phase/201401.phase.90days.gif