MSN: You really need to get some better news. And so much for all the blown up hype over "Global Warming" created/pushed by Al Gore, to make that sob MORE MONEY. Crises are created in the minds of some so others can profit from these self made crises!

Typical of conservative Bart Simpson logic (“I didn’t do it”). Take one story out of context and tell the world it proves their point. 72 years ago the record didn’t come after the hottest year on record which was a full degree higher than the previous record which was set in 2011. I don’t mind your burying your head beneath the sand, but quit telling intelligent people to do the same.

Lets not forget the record for murders in 2012 ...

Your right the winter is pretty fine this year. I just hate the drought, tornados and Sandy that came with it.

Oh, it is going to last. Just look at the dropoff in salt usage. 260,000 down to 100,000 down to 4,000 tons.

It takes some people quite a long time to get it. That's ok. It is called natural selection.

Regardless who thinks what no one knows for sure, but I do know this is not good for the farm land..

Shoshiebbaa184:

Hope you and yours get a reeeeaaalllly nasty virus you wastes of bandwidth.

Though there are pros and cons to all circumstances; "Enjoy it while you can, Chicago!"

I predict that in less than 20 years, the midwest will lose over 50% of it's fresh water.

Might not be MAN-MADE global warming, but it is definitely caused by global warming.

hell, the earth has been warming all over ever since the last ice age - this is not a fact to be debated.

the question is, what are we doing as a nation to proactively address the reality before us and adapt to it?

or are we just going to pretend it's not happening, nothing is changing, we are all just fine, and then BAM cry like babies when the entire US goes as arid as the southwest?

I guess thats the point when AMERICAN PATRIOTS move on to the next nation, slaughter their natives, take all they have created and rename that genocide MANIFEST DESTINY PART DEUX

It amazes me how often people confuse weather with climate change. Yes weather cycles. However, scientists have noted evidence of the gradual raise in temperatures way before humans existed. Look it up.

"Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years"

Wisconsin municipalities are already screaming for more Lake Michigan water. With little to no runoff anticipated this year, the water wars will heat up over the summer. Who will be the highest bidder?

I live in Chicago and can tell you that I am not sad about the weather. Many years of freezing winters buried in snow, I can take a couple of years off.

Where are you having a mild winter? While we haven't had much snow to speak of, I wouldn't exactly call this a mild winter.

The only thing to be thankful for is that so far we haven't had any -0 temps,,YET

Mr. Binkie, it is now called global climate change. Notice the word global? That means globally, not just locally. Notice the word climate? That means a whole range of things could be happening like hotter in places while cooler in other places. More evaporation in some places carrying the evaporated water and dumping it on places not used to it. For instance, Russia having record snows right now. And change. Tell me the weather patterns are not changing. I live on the north shore of Lake Michigan. We have been in a "pattern" of "mild" winters for quite some time. This time of year the temps are closer to day time highs of 10 here. The highs won't go below 32 for the short term weather forecast. I read where we won't see "seasonable temps" until maybe next Wednesday. Our annual snowfalls average, or used to average 60 inches a year. Haven't seen anything close to an average year in 7 years. So far this year 8 measurable inches in two events. Rain this weekend with temps in the 40's. Lake levels down about 4 feet because no snowfall or even heavy rain run-offs. Clime change, global warming or whatever. I think if I were you, I would hold opinion and look around at evidence you can see. While it is true weather cycles, it hasn't been this strange ever.

Rednawt1,

You beat me to explaining the Midwest's changes over the decades ... And I can totally agree with everything you said.

Those who say it's cyclical .... Not... It's happening way too fast...Eg, the melting of the Polar Icecaps...In Fact what's discerning is it's happening faster than what most scientist thought it would ... Let's say exponentially.

Unfortunately we have and will continue to experience some major weather changes.

How is this related to global warming? Re-read the article:

"a rarity for a city that saw its largest snowfall ever just two winters ago."

Two years ago, Chicago received the most snow they ever received. Did global warming just pop up since 2011? No. Climate changes, precipitation changes. It does not require global warming for it not to snow just yet.

Let me guess, you also thought the world was going to end last month?

NoName, I guess then it had better start snowing. The snowmobile races have been canceled. There isn't even enough good snow to truck in for that.

I don't mind the mild winters...but dammit, 108 in June in WI is freaky not normal. And my little garden can't keep up, so I don't know what the farmers are going to do.

I'm looking forward to spring over the next few days - 50's here in Grand Rapids, MI.

Im sure, historically this is nothing, but over the past 10 years - it seems like we are losing winter little by little. It's becoming a shorter season - 2 months, Jan and Feb.

Additionally, Michigan - as broke as we are - has appreciated how rarely we have to snow plow or salt the roads. I dont even know how much money we saved last year and again this year, but I have to believe it's been significant.

Of course, come spring & summer...when the drought is worse than last year, I dont think most of us will appreciate the mild winters as much.

When Spring comes early, and then gets really cold again and kills our apple and cherry crops - it wont be so awesome, yet again.

I dont know how anyone is unwilling to see that we have to adapt and address whats happening, I know the Cherry Farmers in northern michigan have to figure something out or we might lose that entire industry because it's just too devastating to lose 80% of your crop before spring even is officially here.

maybe all the gun fire keeps the stuff melted before it hits the ground.

Unless you live in Chicago, or are going there, why would anyone even care about the weather in Chicago.

But you clicked on the story right?

and social security tax should be risen to include ALL income so the rates could be lowered, leaving more money for the so-called job creators to create jobs IN THIS COUNTRY instead of exporting them and creating jobs in CHINA. The top 10% pay 70% of the taxes because they make 80% of the money. Sounds fair to me. Hard workers? Pushing a pencil or typing on keys is real hard work. Better jack that air conditioning up. I actually agree with you last statement. Public works jobs is a great stimulus for the economy. I just don't understand why you would care about the ghetto. I bet you know NOTHING about ghettos. But then that is just another racist remark. Let me guess, you like negros. You think everyone should own one, right?

rednawt--I know you were going for sarcasm, but the fact is, 'pushing a pencil or typing on keys IS real hard work.' It requires BRAIN power.

Seems all these hard working captains of industry also believe in socialism and communism since they export all their manufacturing and phone bank jobs to those nations that are communist or socialist. Unions are largely done in this country. Most who have jobs are not lazy. They, as mostly a whole wants to do the task they are hired for. Not all people have the aptitude to begin their own businesses and if they did, who would work for them? How about the lazy designers and developers who don't do their jobs or who cheapen items only for the bottom dollar. I am sick and tired of the worker ALWAYS being blamed for stuff that is beyond their control. Again, what does this have to do with Chicago not having any snow yet this winter? You can thank your so-called capitalist republican party since they and they alone pass spending bills in the 212th AND 213th congresses. And don't dare blame Obama since you all are so quick to say we blame Bush. Heck, to listen to you all, Bush never happened anyways.

MOmaid, so is pushing brooms and doing repetitive tasks sometimes lifting repeatedly 50 to 100# at a time over and over. Work that needs to be done. I would not call that lazy in the least.

What freedom has he taken from you doghunt?

doghunt, sprcifics. All you wrote is bunk. But then of course there is about 50% if the population that believe those same things about Bush. Bush has done every one of those points and more, like the freedom for 1000's of American solders to live and raise their families and 1000's more to be able to work after being so hurt by going to needless and endless wars and tours without paying for them. Never in history of our great land have we not only gone to war with one nation but two and given huge tax cuts at the same time. And you have the nerve to spout off all that. Your children and grand children and THEIR children will be paying for Bush. I know you agree with him, but I would love to hear you blame the Iraqi war and abandoning the Afghanistan war "because there were no good targets left there" and how much they will have to continue paying for the maimed from those wars. He has violated 9 of the rights in the bill of rights. Lets see sources of your accusations. Also remember only the House of Representatives can tax and spend. They were in control for 6 of the Bush years and now will be at least 4 of the Obama years although I doubt 6.

Where was the 112th congress who ran on jobs, jobs, jobs? Too busy obstructing??

Heyseed, you understand the implications to the rest of the country. The lake has not frozen over, so it will lose more water than normal to evaporation. While it may be good for Chicago in the short term, with less cost for snow removal, it is a sign that the drought has not gone away, and will be exacerbated by the warm weather. We have difficulty sending barges down the Mississippi due to low water levels. Our crops aren't growing due to the drought. There will be a greater demand for those crops that do manage to grow. The quality will go down. A friend of mine who has a dairy farm is on the verge of bankruptcy. It is too cold for the cattle to be in the field to feed on the grass, and the cost of the feed is greater than the price she can get for milk. She is far from alone. If this continues, we will start to see severe shortages of farm products.

Debbie--absolutely. I have friends who sold OFF many of their cows last year because they couldn't afford to feed them. The problem here is, those who are rabidly 'greeners' will blame all this on global warming, and conveniently forget there have been long running droughts in the world throughout the history of man. (Anybody remember Joseph's prediction to Pharoah of 7 years of prosperity and then 7 years of drought? A pretty safe prediction nearly anytime)

I DO believe that man has possibly contributed to global warming, but could just as easily posit that it is because of the HUGE increase in our globe's population, with each of those billions breathing out air that is nearly 100 degrees. So where are the 'global warming is caused by man' folks in encouraging birth control? (and hey--legitimately, that burgeoning population is causing the natives in many countries to burn off forest land, which has the double whammy of poluting the air with smoke, and also removing valuable trees that scrub the CO2 from the air, and whose roots hold water in the ground.)

I'm a great believer in doing what we can within reason, to improve our environment. I recycle, I use flourescent bulbs (and properly dispose of them--and yep, I will continue to do so, since they do not generate HEAT like halogens do, causing me to run my AC more) I bought a more fuel efficient car, and plan trips more to lessen the amount I drive it, I just put in a more efficient heat pump when there was nothing wrong with the old one other than efficiency, etc.

But sorry, I live in MO, and solar is not reliable here, as the days are too short in the winter, (and my roof faces north), and wind is also not dependable. So when I hear politicians pushing companies that sell high tech (and VERY high cost) generating systems and those companies get rich doing so (and make political donations), I get skeptical about the use they are making of so called 'stats'.

and hey--5 years ago, we had one of the biggest snow storms EVER here, and record cold. And we flip back and forth on rain being too much and too little. And I don't BELIEVE that is because of gains and losses in the battle on human polution.

Interesting observations. The advent of the now dreaded and demonized 'Industrial Age', was the kickoff to the seven fold increase in earth's population...in less than 200 years. "Summer Time, When the Livin' Get's Easy"? (from 'Porgy and Bess' for thus less informed) During the last Ice age and every other global cooling period (there have been several), the population including flora and fauna, suffers a dramatic setback.

Fortunately the readily available diesel for agri-business to prosper, translates into productive crops and prosperity. Purposely Raise (Tax) the price of that fuel (energy) for tractors and the trucks to deliver the food and expect easily purchased, reasonably priced Food? I don't think so.. Insist on the Coal and Hydro power to be limited in output by legislation, then expect energy costs to somehow 'adjust'? Read INFLATION.... of immense proportions.

Another note of relevance: Robert Mugabe nationalized and redistributed the 'at one time productive' farms of Rhodesia. The last currency of Zimbabwe was in 2009. It suffered (along with all inhabitants that survived the 'cleansing') a yearly 'percentage' of Inflation of.... 65 followed by 107 Zeros%. think it can't happen here? We have elected a mentality similar to Robert Mugabe in POWER now in the USA. National Socialism is the cause of Evil, Climate is only One of their excuses. Joseph Stalin wrote the book.

Ah yes "hillbilly"one of the few politically correct slurs left.
Go piss up a rope Greg.

Hey Greg, did you know there hasnt been any Global Warming in over 15 years? I bet not because your to stupid to research the truth. In fact the Earth has been COOLING. Moron...

Greg, We prefer Appalachian American not hillbilly, thank you.

Hey Thom, did you know that there HAS been warming these past 15 years? Virtually every spot on earth has seen an increase in temperature. It is why the ice shelves have been breaking off. These ice shelves have been around for ages. The temperature of the southern seas has gone up enough that their integrity is compromised. It is one reason that Australia has severe fires right now.

Average temperatures have plateaued the last 16 years. This fact has annoyed many Global Warming alarmists since about 2007. They were sure this trend would not continue past 2010 and temperatures would again begin to trend upward. It has not.

Whew....I was worried someone wouldn't bring that up!! We had to wait all the way till comment 12!!! {sarc}

Wow doghunt, what a racist name you are calling the president. How do you know what is in President Obama's heart? What proof do you have he does not like God? Who took God out of the country? How can President Obama get rid of the constitution? What part of the constitution has he already allegedly gotten rid of? Are you aware he can't spend any government money that is not allowed for by the House Of Representatives, a body that is now controlled by the real God Haters, the republicans? And what does your rant have to do with the article at hand?

rawnawt--sorry, while I absolve Obama of 'taking God out of the country' (the left wing NUTS have tried, just as the right wing nuts have tried to IMPOSE their version of God) I DO know that Obama has done his best to 'get around' the constitution, as did BUSH.

The very fact that Obama created 'Czars' to duplicate (and in some cases, basically 'trump') cabinet members, who do NOT have to be approved by Congress is eliminating one of THE most important things our constitution established, which was a BALANCE of POWER between the three branches of our government, so that none can get too powerful. And it is noteworthy that he DID that at a time when the Dems controlled not just the White House, but BOTH houses of Congress.

He also has de-facto decided which laws his administration will enforce, WHO is entitled to 'rights' and who is not, and is using executive orders to do an 'end around' Congress AND the majority of the Citizens of the country.

He and the Democrats have imposed a bill that FORCES people to buy something they don't want to, and squeaked it by (despite denying for 2 years that it was a tax) by the Supremes by arguing that it WAS a tax, a health care bill that does NOTHING to improve our health care (in fact, by cutting payments to hospitals and doctors, could actually be HURTING it by bankrupting hospitals and causing many doctors to retire or ONLY go into 'specialty' med like plastic surgery.), does NOT cover everybody, and basically hands the POS health insurance industry a WINDFALL of forced, profitable new customers.

And he ABSOLUTELY can spend money that is not allowed, by just having his Secretary of the Treasury do 'creative accounting' , and you DO know that MOST of the people in this country believe that we need to CUT spending? (Of course, none of them want to cut the spending that benefits THEM PERSONALLY, and there's the rub.)

I voted for Obama the first time, and did not the second, but am a social liberal, and a fiscal conservative.

And I think BOTH parties are POS's. And I will point to the so called "Patriot Act" as a perfect example.

Bush passed it. But Obama reaffirmed it.

MOmaid, bush also had czars. Couldn't congress write a bill to deal with that?

The extremes on both sides of the isle is what is ruining this great nation of ours. So with that, I fully agree with you and thank you for admitting that. No easy to find a fair minded person these days.

He put a hod on enforcing DOM law until the Supreme Court can look at it. Heck, is any same sex couple getting the same federal benefits as opposite sex couples? What other laws is he refusing to enforce?

We have given the republican controlled congress two years to do their repeal and replace of the ACA. Hasn't happened yet. Why not? I personally would love to be able to afford insurance, but because of some inherited health problems..nope, the death squads in the insurance companies won't sell me affordable insurance. I would love the republican congress to come up with a solution to that little matter.

And lastly, he can move money already appropiated around. That is all.

Rosie..I agree with you that people who do plowing snow for a living in the winter are hurting, but I can't remember the last time I saw snow on Christmas.I'm in New England and even here a "White Christmas" is a rarity.

We've had one snowfall of any value around New years, and I could tell the plow guys were hungry for work because they actually cleared my street. That in itself is a miracle.

If you work in a field that is failing, I would think it is time to go to another field.

LOL @ Jamine. We had a white Christmas in Texas. And as I recall there were numerous people up in the NorthEast that had plenty of snow before Christmas even hit.

And the mid-west got dumped on. It was the position of the stalled (in terms of location) jet stream that caused the snow storms to miss Chicago and hit elsewhere.

Rosie--"Chrismas without snow is like .... California!"

NO, it's NOT!!!

I spend Christmas in CA (Los Angeles) with my son, as that is his busy season and he can't get much time off, and the last day I was there (the 27th) we had lunch outdoors, in short sleeves, and got sunburned and hot.

;p

While I am a retired sailor who worked decades on the Great Lakes, I can tell you that while a lot of Lake Michigan does not, in fact, freeze over much more of it did in the not too distant past. I live on Little Bay De Noc on the north shore. The bay by now is usually froze over completely. It is probably less than 25% froze right now. Forecast of low to mid 40's. Not much ice is going to be made anytime soon. Meanwhile the lake levels are down probably 4 feet. That is caused by a number of things. Some of those being lack of snow in winter, lack of rain the rest of the year. The weight of the water pushing down on the lake bed is causing the lake bed to rise a number of inches a year. Lower lake levels means in shipping terms, less cargo on a ship at a time, causing larger cost per ton to ship. There are economic consequences to this "enjoy it while you can" attitude. So no, it is not completely untrue. Even if the lake did freeze completely over the warmer atmosphere is still evaporating more than before even from the ice. I don't know if there is much we can do to reverse the situation, but perhaps we can slow it down. If we all deny it is happening, be prepared for the consequences. If it isn't, perhaps we can have a cleaner and healthier environment to live in.

OMG thank you for noticing! What idiot wrote this article thinking 22K square mile lake would freeze over under normal Midwest winter conditions??

That being said - I am very worried for the plants in the area. The drought (lack of snow) will be very hard on your trees and bushes next year. We will likely see additional drastic results from last year's drought.

592 murders to be exact... and all while having some of the strictest gun control laws in the country. Nope thats not news... to the Left.

It's because ever hoodlum has a gun and the laws don't allow confiscation and the gun runners aat gun shows supply hoodlums guns and even gun owners get their guns stolen from not locking them up

wallace....what makes you think those guns came anywhere besides the trunk of a car?

criminals don't need gun shows

back to tokyo trollio

so, you are saying that nat gas is better than gasoline in terms of global warming? How so? I'd like to hear this explanation. Once energy sources go on the market, doesn't really matter where they are consumed, their affect on market prices has already been exerted.

TR--what makes you think all the oil companies are owned by PUBS?

And hey--I'd be GLAD to buy your magnetic car when it costs $15K. So have YOU upgraded your furnace to a more efficient one every 5 years? Got your roof covered with solar panels? Got a windmill in your yard?

Everyone ALWAYS seems to want the OTHER guy to be more efficient, but not to want to pay for it themselves.

72 years ago we didnt have the EPA

MTD--hate to tell you, but Al Jazeera just bought out Al Gore's network, so it will probably be on it sooner.

What a combo, so called environmentalists (who have gotten filthy rich on it) and jihadists.

I'm betting you have a lot of data to support your conclusions vs scientsits? Like Rush Limbaugh?

So Wallace, who's your source of information? Scientist...uh, I mean, politicain/lobbyist Al Gore?