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The Arctic Paradox Explained: Why a Warmer Arctic Can Mean a Frigid Winter Here

Finally, an explanation we can all understand about why a warmer Arctic can cause freezing winters in North America. Dr. Heidi Cullen explains.

Ben Jervey
By Ben JerveyFeb 17, 2011
Ben Jervey
Ben is a writer and editor covering climate change, energy, and environment, and is currently the Climate and Energy Media Fellow at Vermont Law School. He was the original Environment Editor at GOOD Magazine and his work has appeared regularly in National Geographic News, Grist, DeSmogBlog, and OnEarth. He recently worked with the non-profit Focus the Nation to publish an Energy 101 primer. When living in New York City, he wrote a book, The Big Green Apple, on how to live a lower impact life in the city. A bicycle enthusiast, Ben has ridden across the United States and through much of Europe.
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I wrote a couple weeks ago that as long as I keep hearing the "'So much for global warming, huh?' comments uttered by well meaning, but ill-informed people around the country, it's my duty to, once again, address it."

So here's Dr. Heidi Cullen, formerly of The Weather Channel, now CEO of Climate Central, giving a thorough and comprehensible explanation of why the warmer arctic can unleash the bitter cold we've felt down in North America and northern Europe this winter. She talks to Energy NOW:

The "Warm Arctic/Cold Continents Pattern" is an area of ongoing research, so nothing is certain here. But you can learn more about that arctic paradox, and find links to more studies about it, at this Climate Central post.

Image: Climate Central

environmentclimate changeweatherclimatearcticclimate centralarctic paradoxheidi cullenearth day every day

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