El Nino vs. Total Snow in Albany in January
In Albany, a slight El Nino tends to mean more snow in January, but a strong El Nino like this year, usually means below normal snow.
Talk about some cold weather.
Generally, higher elevations have an earlier coldest day of the year, while areas farther west and lower elevations have a later coldest day of the year. I think the north-west later has to do with the sun angle, along with the way the Great Lakes impact the local climate.