For the warm-up in this cool climate instructional activity, you will need to click on "Mapping" and then "US Mapping" once you arrive at NOAA's "US Climate at a Glance" page. Earth science explorers realize that 2012 was a warm winter for us. They read an article, "Much to Savor, and Worry About, Amid Mild Winter's Early Blooms" in The New York Times. Note that the link to the article does not work, but the reading can be found via an Internet search. Reading comprehension questions and activities follow, making this a well-rounded current event instructional activity in climate change.