[Geezer (OP)]

Winter is off to a flying start in North Idaho this season (not very far from the Pacific). We just established a new record for snowfall in November, and we had some unusually low temperatures too. I noticed the UK has also been getting hammered recently with some conditions that (as I remember) are very unusual for this time of year.

Is this a coincidence, or is there a strong connection between the systems?

[SteveFish]

The northern hemisphere is a bit warmer overall, and warmer weather results in increased snowfall in North America and northern Europe. Last winter there was an Arctic Oscillation that displaces cold weather south from the pole but I don't know if it is still in effect.