Warmer Arctic winters linked to more 'Snowzillas' in US north-east

The warming Arctic Ocean is linked to a two-to four-fold increase in the frequency of severe winter storms in the eastern US, according to a new study by American scientists.

Extreme snow storms have been on the increase in
north-eastern US, particularly since 1990, new research shows.

The massive storms regularly get dubbed evocative names such as "Snowzilla" or "Snowcopalypse" when they hit populated regions such as New York, stirring debate over the role of climate change.

The new study, published Wednesday in Nature Communications, noted human-induced global warming was "widely expected to increase certain weather extremes, including more intense and frequent heat waves and droughts”.

Read Peter Hannam’s story from The Age - “Warmer Arctic winters linked to more 'Snowzillas' in US north-east.”

Electric cars are breaking our roads, here's how

In 2018, Australia's roads are plagued with problems: the long-term decline in the road death toll has slowed, congestion is tipped to increase and long commutes are linked to poor mental health.

And now a multi-billion-dollar road funding black hole looms.

It's caused by the growing popularity of fuel-efficient cars, prompting a multi-generational reset to national roads policy which will change how you pay to drive.

For the people who rely most on their vehicles, that means trouble.

Read the ABC News story - “Electric cars are breaking our roads, here's how.”