Northeast Snowstorm: Does Freak Snowstorm Indicate Bleak Winter to Come?
The historic snowstorm that swept through the northeast last week is not a reflection of a dismal winter to come some experts claim.
The freak storm which killed almost 30 people and left hundreds of thousands without power, has many expecting ghastly winter conditions in the northeast.
Despite growing fears, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has suggested temperatures in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are likely to be relatively normal but has not completely ruled out the possibility of intense snowstorms.
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Some experts are also said to believe that the rare October snow is a direct result of climate change with a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change expected to conclude greenhouse gases are causing extreme weather conditions, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Other experts have weighed in, with one in particular suggesting last week’s snow was just a “unique weather event” not necessarily caused by anything specific.
Tony Barnston who is the Lead forecaster at Columbia University's International Research Institute for Climate and Society in Palisades, also explained: "The unusual snowstorm was not related to anything general like climate change or the weak La Nina that's going on.”
Regardless of expert opinion, many in the northeast still remain skeptical about the winter ahead.
While emergency crews were able to restore power in most parts of the northeast, thousands are still said to be affected by the power cut.
