Dont lose hope and don't get too excited if GFS flips to something less crazy than what currently throws. I consider METO update to be very promising for a prolonged cold spell, unless I am getting super excited. Don't expect METO to say one week in advance that it is going to snow everywhere...the fact they mention wintry hazards is enough to indicate what they expect. Hopefully it stays intact for the next few days and we shall see!