Jeff Masters said that the heavy snow last winter was caused by “global warming adding moisture to the atmosphere.” This is an fascinating theory, given that it was the 17th driest winter on record in the US and that there has been no trend in US winter precipitation.
But you must remember that the US is only 2% of the surface area of the Earth. The excess moisture was hiding in the Arctic with Trenberth’s missing heat.
Ever since these people had to explain away developments and events that contradicted their original predictions, their statements have gotten more and more dubious. With more that a whiff of ad hockery.
The strangest thing about this is that it really isn’t necessary. All they have to do is admit to other influences that can obscure the warming signal at least temporarily. The fact that many of these jokers are unwilling to do that to my mind gives the game away.