11 photos that show how incredibly bizarre the weather in the US was last December (2015)

By Lydia Ramsey From Business Insider

The US has certainly had its share of wacky December weather last year.

With people on the East Coast basking in warm temperatures, severe storms tearing up the South, and blizzards dumping snow on southwest states, it’s no doubt that thanks to El Niño, this month is one for the books.

El Niño, a weather pattern that’s characterized by warmer-than average water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, can often lead to unexpected weather events around the world like the ones that happened in the past few weeks.

Attached are some snapshots of the US (and elsewhere) experiencing unseasonably warm weather:

In keeping with the mild beginning of December, New Yorkers spent Christmas Day in minimal outerwear doing warm-weather activities like row-boating. On December 25, the temperature in New York hit 66 degrees, 26 degrees above the historic average temperature. Here are a few enjoying Central Park:
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Unusually warm air over the Pacific Ocean, a weather pattern called El Niño, is messing up the jet stream that keeps the northern part of the US cool in the winter. That’s why those wanting to work off Christmas cookies with a run could do so without bundling up. This Christmas jogger ran through New York’s Central Park clad in only a pair of shorts on Dec. 25.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Here’s what’s going on: Instead of going directly over the country, the jet stream is currently blowing cold air down to the southwest before scooting far north. That way, it’s missing most of the East Coast and messing up the temperatures farther south.
Earth via Null School

Those seeking more seasonal activities over the holidays, like these ice skaters in New York’s Bryant Park, found themselves also in spring-like gear and occasionally standing in puddles.
Carlo Allegri/Reuters

The warmth didn’t just make for a good excuse to get outside — the warm and rainy weather last week also created thick fog, especially in Washington, DC.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

The fog led to flight troubles for those trying to get home by plane for the holidays to or from the East Coast.
Reuters

While the East Coast could enjoy spring-like weather in December, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of Oklahoma spent the weekend getting pummeled with a blizzard.

The storm dumped more than 1-2 feet of snow which, combined with 60-mph winds. led to insane snow drifts, like this one up against a New Mexico house.

The severe weather took destructive turn in the Gulf states, where tornadoes and flooding damaged homes and killing at least 41 people. This is what the aftermath looked like in Birmingham, Alabama on December 26.
Marvin Gentry/Reuters

Strong storms in northern Alabama led to flooding after the tornadoes. Seen here on December 26, this house on the banks of a river is almost entirely submerged,
Marvin Gentry/Reuters

And the US wasn’t only the place hit by wild weather — ski slopes on the East Coast and over in Europe (like this one in Germany) struggled to keep their mountains filled with snow as temperatures stayed above freezing. One thing’s for sure: Holiday break is not going to be the best time to go skiing, unless you plan to head west.
Michael Dalder/Reuters