Photo: Freak Winter Weather: Fluke or Fuel in Warming Debate?

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A map depicts global variations in temperature over the past winter, as compared to 29-year averages. Temperatures in northern Europe (seen as red dots) were well above average, while those in the Middle East (seen as blue dots) were colder than usual.

The unusual season seems to be the result of a "perfect storm" of weather patterns occurring at once, experts say.

Map courtesy NOAA

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