I had heard a while back that the earth's temperature is based on the amount of sun spots on the sun at a certain time. Can't remember if the more sun spots the cooler the earth and vice versa for the fewr sun spots.
I don't think that the so called scientists that predicted stronger more intense storms were talking about the most snow fall in the mid-atlantic since the late 1800's. More snow there means colder here in NH as the "cold" air is pushing all these "stronger more intense" storms to our south.
Our temperatures in NH have been below normal for most of December and January. I guess this all has to do with global warming.
Also, I don't consider the NY Times as the most reliable source for anything political.