New research has shown that the persistent cold weather suffered by much of the United States this winter may be a result of a changing jet stream pattern. A new study shows that the jet stream over Northern Europe and North America may be taking a longer, more meandering path as a result of a rapidly warming Arctic narrowing the differential between upper and middle latitudes, reports the BBC. Temperatures in the Arctic have been rising two to three times as rapidly as the rest of the globe, and as the difference in temperature between the Arctic and middle latitudes diminishes, the jet stream that separates them slows. That means that cold weather over North America tends to linger longer. It also means that warm weather is pushed further north and cold weather heads further South. Alaska and Scandinavia have had unusually warm winters this year, while southern U.S. cities like Atlanta have been struck by rare snowstorms and freezing weather.
      A jet stream is defined as a current of rapidly moving air that is usually several thousand miles long and
 wide, but is relatively thin. They are found in the upper levels of Earth's atmosphere at the troposphere -
 the boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere. Jet streams are important because they contribute
 to worldwide weather patterns and as such, they help meteorologists forecast weather based on their 
position. In addition, they are important to air travel because flying in or out of them can reduce flight time
 and fuel consumption.

Winter storm warnings were in effect throughout the area, including New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, Connecticut and Westchester, Putnam, Orange and Rockland counties. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island regions, as did Governor Chris Christie in New Jersey and Govenor Dan Malloy in Connecticut.
Snow that began just after midnight Thursday fell at the rate of 2 and 3 inches per hour at times before transitioning to rain, sleet and freezing rain across the Tri-State area, then there were thunderstorms before a brief transition back to snow.
The wintry mix left heavy slush, making for dangerous conditions on the roads and sidewalks.
The highest snowfall totals were in Orange County, New York, where 20.5 inches fell in Harriman. New Windors recorded 19.4 inches, while Tuxedo Park saw 17, Middletown 16.4 and Port Jervis 14.5
New Jersey also saw impressive totals, with 16.7 inches in Roselle, 16.3 in West Milford, 15.5 in Oakland and West Orange and 15 in Kearny and Cedar Grove. Ridgewood, Roseland, Harrison and Roselle Park all saw more than 14 inches.
In New York City, 12.5 inches were reported in Central Park and 11.8 in Bayside, Queens. On Long Island, Bayville recorded 14.6 inches while East Setauket, North Babylon and Deer Park all saw more than 12 inches.

In Rockland County, 17.2 inches fell in Stoney Point and 14.6 in Airmont, while Westchester reported 15.8 inches in Peekskill and 14.5 in Mount Kisco. Connecticut saw 15.6 inches in Danbury and 15.3 in New Canaan.

The heaviest snow fell north of Boston in , which reported nearly 2 feet. Nearly 18 inches of snow fell in Boston and in western New York near Rochester. Lakewood, N.J., got 10 inches and New York City's Central Park 6. This was just one of the winter snow storms in 2014. The snow hasn't let up. New Yorkers were being trapped in their homes. This is not good for NY, after all we are known as the city that doesn't sleep. But what is causing us to have such a bad winter. The past 3 winters here in NYC were nothing. I can remember wearing a tee shirt in January last year. What is the big change?