– 2nd largest snow cover in Siberia in 47 years (Ice Age Now, Nov 7, 2014):
Signals a greater chance of a harsh winter in North America, Europe and Asia.
About 14.1 million sq km (5.4 million sq miles) of snow blanketed Siberia at the end of October, the second most in records going back to 1967, according to Rutgers University’s Global Snow Lab. The record was set in 1976.
In addition, the speed at which snow has covered the region is the fastest since at least 1998.
Taken together they signal greater chances for frigid air to spill out of the Arctic into more temperate regions of North America, Europe and Asia, said Judah Cohen, director of seasonal forecasting at Atmospheric and Environmental Research in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Note: We’re talking about a huge area. For comparison, the entire United States, including Alaska, contains 3.8 million sq miles (9.85 million sq km).
See entire article, and why Cohen believes signals a harsh winter in so many areas: