I was reading an online article the other day - and darned if I can't find it today - about past winters that mirrored this one. I believe the winters cited were 1957-58 and 1966-67. The article paralleled today's El Nino pattern with those from the past, and showed how as a result those earlier winters both started out warm in the NE United States & SE Canada. Those warm, snow free periods lasted through January. However, those February's were some of the coldest recorded with massive snow falls and blizzards into late March in those areas. I don't recall the story mentioning early blizzards in the Rocky Mountains in 1957 or 1966, but boy have they got them this year.

There is some debate whether this year's unseasonably warm weather is to be blamed on global warming or a looming El Nino pattern. Whichever is the case, if history repeats, there may be some hope for those suffering from allergies and those that enjoy the winter sports. The weather centers are predicting that this year's long lasting El Nino is about to come to an end and that winter is on the way for the NE Unisted States and SE Canada. Time will tell.

My apologies for not being able to cite the source story.
Bobby B. | 01.12.07 - 9:39 am | #

http://thumbsnap.com/v/3wAImmTl.jpg

Thank you for sharing this news on global warming. The more we work to inform the more we can inspire change.

Danielle a.k.a. taureandevi.blogspot.com
Danielle | Homepage | 01.12.07 - 12:47 pm | #

El Nino is certainly a factor this winter... no doubt about that. That, of course, doesn't rule out the effects of climate change...
Jeff at sustainablog | Homepage | 01.12.07 - 6:38 pm | #

I found myself in Spain this New Year to avoid the great British Weather. Although it was still cold in Spain, ther was very little difference in temperatures between the countries. Also no snow yet in the UK? We would have had at least one heavy snow fall and a few heavy frosts by now.
How can the politicians not recognise the diffences or is that we will leave it fo our children to out right.
Mark
Cheap Breakdown Cover | Driving Experience
Mark Flanighan | Homepage | 01.13.07 - 3:19 pm | #

Don't get mad...

http://www.intellectualconservat...er-the-weather/
Bobby B. | 01.15.07 - 9:13 am | #

Nope, I won't...I see plenty of problems with Caruba's argument, though. Can't get into them right now, but will return...
Jeff at sustainablog | Homepage | 01.15.07 - 10:13 am | #

I feel bad for the people losing their jobs, whether it is seasonal or otherwise.
However, a quick look at my heating bill would prove that having a warmer winter isn't the catastrophe that some people think. The cold and snow is fun for some people but where I live it causes a myriad of other costs and problems.
jesse sigrist | Homepage | 01.22.07 - 11:20 am | #