I hate the term “backloaded winter” with almost as much passion as I hate the term “midsouth”. I’m beginning to hate the term “-NAO” as well. Funny how no matter what combination of QBO, solar, ENSO state, AMO phase, tripole, dipole, or bipolar signal, operational forecast, ensemble forecast, seasonal forecast, mountain torque, mjo state, SAI score, or SSW magnitude, it never occurs in winter. No matter how convoluted, detailed, and well-sources the forecast for one is, it just doesn’t transpire, to the bewilderment and dismay of anyone brave enough to forecast or expect it. Models show it and professionals forecast it, yet it eludes the 0 hour with amazing regularity.