Snow in Jerusalem. A new color of hot on Australian climate maps. Has the world's weather gone crazy? In the same week that the National Climatic Data Center declared 2012 North America's hottest year on record, inclement conditions have buffeted countries in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Go to story #1

A major new federal report warning the United States could warm up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century if global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise has renewed hope among environmental groups that President Obama will make climate change a priority in his second term. Go to story #2