Hola Jim,
So good to hear from you. Its nice to hear the eastern Provinces have been fairly mild this year.
Appreciate you stating that although your an z8b this winter, the temps and highs are not indictive of a z8b climate. I just feel it serves no purpose in thinking someone has a (whatever) low they are having, is that climate. Thanks. Ive had a z8b low myself but it sure doesn't feel Montgomery Alabama
As many here do, I have been watching weather trends closely for the past few years and seeing the NE (from Detroit to Niagara anyways) mostly untouched from those brutal upper Midwest lows but the jet stream can skirt the northern tier here in the United States and that is why your getting some of those colder events, Your region is a strong z6a/b at worst and strongly rivals my area here except we warm earlier in spring in general. If worse comes to worse, throw an old carboard box over your needle palms, that's an old Appalachian method
Stay safe Jim and hope you get down south when time and interest allow. Keep in touch!