A weighty arctic air mass develops, expands, and intensifies across Russia this week. Next week, the air mass migrates southward reaching Afghanistan and all of Tibet to Northeast China. In the 11-15-day period, the arctic air is released into China moderating to the south of snow cover.

Upper ocean heat in the equatorial Pacific Ocean to the east of the Dateline is increasing rapidly. Implied is peak El Nino 2023-24 strength is just ahead arriving for mid-winter in the northern hemisphere.