John Popelish wrote:

Don Klipstein wrote:
(snip)
Looks like some recent record-big blizzards did not stop the world from
having its hottest year on record as a continuation of a recent-decades
upward trend, and less lignificantly the USA from having its hottest
January on record - should one more blizzard make much difference?

Global warming does not necessarily imply less snow, since warmer air
holds more moisture than colder air, allowing it to deliver more snow.
Only when global warming brings a particular location above the
freezing point, does it imply rain instead of snow. Expect places
that normally have had dry, cold winters to have warmer winters with
lots more snow. Till it gets lots warmer.

The warming is best measured by sea temp not air temp. There's a lot more
energy tied up in seawater than the atmosphere.

Note also that Katrina was as bad as it was due to higher sea temps in the
Atlantic and Gulf that also ensured that the air was moisture-laden thus
helping to increase the severity of the Hurricane.

Graham