This is an interesting explanation of how the snowy winter in most parts of the USA as well as the complete lack of winter in Central Europe could be connected to climate change. The changed pattern of the jet stream just causes much longer periods of extreme weather, so next year it could just be the opposite depending on which side of the jet stream wave strikes your region. I hope this model will prove wrong...

http://nation.time.com/2014/02/15/tired-of-endless-winter-blame-changing-jet-stream/