more of the Pacific side/ Atlantic Side "see-saw" push of tropical water vapor. This pacific side push is very reminiscent of early 2013 and into 2014 as shown in previous posts on this thread.
Water vapor trails directly moving up from the mid-latitudes where unprecedented tropical expansion continues to infiltrate water vapor poised for translation via strong blocking patterns in the weakened jet stream.
https://earth.nullschool.net/#2016/12/29/1800Z/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/overlay=total_precipitable_water/orthographic=-180.50,76.55,355This is a very clear example of the new dynamic which, if it continues, will lead to record high temps in the arctic all 2017 but will likely lead to increased cloud cover, snow fall and reduced melt-pond formation in the arctic during the upcoming melt season.
Only time will tell, the rapid reduction of global aerosols greatly increased arctic temperatures between 1980 and 1996 when China began their economic expansion under 'most favored trade nation' status.
These two factors will work in opposition to each other to 1 suppress melt pond formation and 2 suppress sea ice formation and increase wind/wave action to disrupt sea ice.
December's average PIOMAS value will be a complete shock to many, January will continue the trend. Even with an extremely cold and cloudy melt season, these winter effects are much more prominent and will lead to record low extents/volume. If the colder/cloudier summer is NOT realized we could easily have an ice-free summer this Sept.