1. The winter of 2013/2014- What happened to Climate Change? Part 1
Images from the following presentation:
The winter of 2013/2014- What happened to Climate Change? Part 1
Daria Kluver, Ph.D.
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Central Michigan University
August 13th, Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association Conference

2. Average winter temperature in MI was 14. 7°F 5
Average winter temperature in MI was 14.7°F 5.5°F colder than the 20th century average
meteorologists consider winter (December through February)
Data Since Data from NCDC climate rankings

3. 10th coldest winter in Michigan Coldest since 1977
Record set in 1904

4. December 17th coldest January 10th coldest February 14th coldest March
Since Data from NCDC climate rankings

6. From NWS Billings

12. From NWS grand rapids

13. Polar Vortex
Persistent area of rotating cold air that occurs high in the atmosphere (stratosphere) at the poles. It is always there but is strongest in winter.
Image: stratosphere-troposphere coupling by Martin Jucker – Princeton Climate Dynamics visualization

14. Occasionally weather patterns (energy) from the lower atmosphere (troposphere) can extend up into the stratosphere and disrupt the spinning, weakening it (even causing it to reverse direction).
Image: the Washington Post