The Winter That Wasn't

This winter was the fourth warmest on record (h/t nc links):

We've been remarking over and over about how mild and snowless this winter has been. Now we have the official word on just where the winter of 2011-2012 will rank in history. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced that this was fourth warmest meteorological winter on record across the contiguous United States and the warmest since 1999-2000. (Note: The meteorological winter is December, January and February combined)

Only the winters of 1991-1992, 1998-1999, 1999-2000 were warmer. All of this is based on records dating back to 1890s.

New Mexico was the only state that had winter temperatures below the 20th century average.

I don't ever remember so little snow in a winter.  It sure has been a weird year.  Maybe it doesn't have any meaning, but I find it troubling that all four warmest winters have occurred since 1990.