Climate skeptics have challenged the accuracy of surface temperature measurements. They have said "Look at the satellite data". They should. Satellite data show that global mid-tropospheric temperatures shattered the old record for December-February.
While exceptional snow cover cooled much of surface of the temperate northern hemisphere this winter the middle of the atmosphere was warmed by massive amounts of heat released from a moderate El Nino and intense storms over the ocean.
The tropics and the southern hemisphere were exceptionally warm while the eastern half of the United States was below normal this December - February (northern hemisphere meteorological winter).
The warmest ever December-February land & ocean temperatures were recorded this austral summer.
While Republican Senators were hamming in the snow for Fox news in Washington, Australia and the southern hemisphere was baking with record heat. Of course, viewers of conservative news media never heard about Australia
That's why viewers of conservative media sources are becoming more skeptical of climate science.
And while the eastern seaboard of the U.S. was cold heat built up in the tropical Atlantic ocean. The waters in the main development region for Atlantic hurricanes are much warmer than normal now. Moreover, water in the tropical Indian ocean is warmer than normal too. Warm tropical Indian water helps develop the African monsoon and low wind shear over the main development region. Warmer than normal water in the main development region contributes to the development of tropical storms.
The Atlantic basin is in a period of higher than normal hurricane activity.
This year the tropical Atlantic in the main development region is warmer than it was on the same date in the record year of 2005. Because wind shear is such a large factor, water temperature alone is not sufficient for an accurate hurricane season forecast.
The tropical Atlantic is already warm enough to support intense hurricanes in March.
Last year wind shear caused by El Nino held down the number of tropical storms in the Atlantic. With El Nino coming to an end this summer, the wind shear effects will go away. The conditions will likely be very favorable for tropical storm development. This year will very likely have much above normal Atlantic hurricane activity.