To contrast Ida and her tropical origins, realize the Arctic is still shunting cold air to the lower latitudes. THE SAME PATTERN.

The intensity of the pattern is different because of the change of seasons and position of the sun. Ida came from lower latitudes because that is where the sun's rays AND AVAILABLE WATER VAPOR dictated the heat consolidate into a storm.

But, the pattern is 'static.' Ida is a 'part' of a huge vortex that is serving as a heat transfer system. It is shunting the heat from lower latitudes to the Arctic Circle. As a result the colder air at the surface of Earth is forced down around the planet ALONG WITH the onset of winter so there is a DOUBLE dose of winter storm.

There is NO WAY anyone, scientist or not can state this is 'normal.' No way.

Tow trucks assist the Colorado State Patrol to clear stalled vehicles from westbound Interstate 70 on Floyd Hill just west of the Denver metropolitan area on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. A winter storm is forecast to continue in Colorado through the day Wednesday.
(AP Photo/Peter M. Fredin)

Denver has received snow for two days.
continued...

Last updated November 7, 2009 4:23 p.m. PT
Heavy snow in Cascades shuts down roads (click here)
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SEATTLE -- The Washington state Department of Transportation has temporarily shut down two highways in the Cascade Mountains due to heavy snow from a fall storm and plans to close a third.
Transportation officials closed State Route 410 over Chinook Pass and State Route 123 over Cayuse Pass Saturday morning. The North Cascades Highway on State Route 20 closed around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
All three roads typically close during the winter due to heavy snow, but transportation officials say none of these are permanent closures. It is being assessed when all the roads can be reopened.