Severe weather outbreaks in the south, drastic swings in temperatures
over the United States, and heavy
snows in the Midwest, it has been quite the
winter.  I have heard comments that this
winter has been freakish, unusual, rare and even the phrase what is
wrong?  This winter from a historical
perspective is simply put, a very normal La Nina winter. 

The equatorial Pacific
Ocean is currently colder than average, or its cool phase, which
is commonly referred to as a La Nina. 
Every La Nina winter is obviously different, but it is fairly common to
see strong severe thunderstorm outbreaks in the winter and spring during La
Ninas. 

The last time we had a winters
like this was back in 2000-2001 and in 1998-1999 which just happened to be a La
Nina winters that had above average snowfall from Iowa
into Wisconsin
and severe weather outbreaks in the south.