UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Throughout the continental 48 states, the 2011-12 winter has been oddly mild. While past winters in Pennsylvania and other hardy winter regions have delivered a few warm, sunny days each year like previews of spring, they usually have been surrounded by more seasonally appropriate temperatures, freezing and below. This year it seemed that very cold days were the minority, and most states had little snow.

Paul Knight also researches long-range prediction techniques and the use of artificial intelligence in forecasting significant weather events. He talks about the warmer weather this season.

Would you say that a mild winter like the one we've had in Pennsylvania happens every few years, or is it fairly rare? And is it rare for the lower 48 states to all have a warmer winter, or is it usually more contained to one or two areas of the country?

To read Paul Knight's answer and the full article:
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