EL Nino & October Steamboat Snow?

Okay, I'm looking out my window at all the snow on the trees and ground thinking...did I blink and time travel 7 weeks to the future?  If the calendar wasn't in front of me boldly stating October 26th, I would think it's early December. I am sure the folks that were struggling to ride their mountain bikes to work on Mt. Werner Road this morning were wondering the same thing. Did hear that a couple old-time ranchers up Twenty Mile Road in Steamboat said they can't ever remember having 5 significant snowfalls like this before Halloween.  There have been rainy September/Octobers but not this snowy where you could have put your snow tires on in September.   What could be causing these early snows?  Many folks are saying "El Nino".  But we have had El Ninos before with higher than normal precipitation in the fall, but not this much snow.  Normally an El Nino produces a mixed bag in Colorado. The southwest part of the state gets above average temps and snow and reaps the most snowfall benefits. Steamboat gets higher precipitation through November (...Hmmm). Then a below-to-average snowfall through January.  March and April snowfalls can be way above average with the ski area closing in April with great skiing still to be had. Looked ahead at the next 10 day forecast for Steamboat Springs and it mentioned snow showers for the next weekend. Love skiing but opening day for Steamboat on November 22nd is still a month away, even though the ski mountain is dressed up in a nice white coat. Precipitation is 200% of normal for September/October. At this rate I could have cabin fever by Christmas and be ready for mountain biking or the beach by January.  (Just kidding!)  Bring it (snow) on.