But scientists are clear: cold extremes will still occur even as winters warm overall. When the jet stream swings south, it can push cold Arctic air into North America, Europe and Asia. In its normal state it rotates very fast, keeping blisteringly cold air locked in the Arctic region. But it can get disrupted and knocked off course, becoming stretched and distorted, spilling out cold air and influencing the path of the jet stream. The area of science remains very unsettled, however, and others have said the links between Arctic warming and cold snaps are far from clear.

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Persons: Jeffrey T, Barnes, There’s, Jennifer Francis, Judah Cohen, ” Cohen, ”, James Screen, Nouran Salahieh, Allison Chinchar Organizations: CNN, Northern, Climate Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Exeter University Locations: United States, Orchard Park , New York, North America, Europe, Asia, Texas, Massachusetts, Siberia