I did a little research to see if the phenomenon of deadly tornadoes during the winter months is normal or related to warming. There are differing opinions but the consensus is that tornado season can start in January in the Southern states and extremely dangerous tornadoes are not uncommon during winter months. Dot Earth has more info and stats on the frequency of dangerous storms that show little definable connection between warming and these weather phenomena.

Here in Rochester (NY) the winter pattern is much different than in the past and it is definitely a warming pattern. However this has not resulted in better weather- it has been different weather. We’ve had a lot of big fluctuations in temperatures. Tuesday it was 55 degrees F, this Sunday we will be lucky to see 10 degrees. Last week in a ten minute period the temps dropped 35 degrees.

The effects of these swings are extreme: very high winds (70 mph gusts during that rapid drop), heavy ice storm-style icing which we seldom saw before the end of March and heavy, wet lake affect snows. Most of us would much rather have a 25 degree dry humidity powder snow day anytime over 35 degree damp slush weather which has been the story most of this winter.