REGION — The early part of 2014 was marked by the polar vortex, which sent cold air into the region and the country resulting in record-breaking cold temperatures in many areas. Forecasters are not predicting a return of the phenomenon; in fact, winter may be warmer than average, especially if El Niño conditions form in the southern Pacific Ocean, which has been given a 65% chance of happening by the Climate Prediction Center, the National Weather Service and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society.

More of the big news stories of 2014 can be found on page 5, and a pictorial retrospective of the year in entertainment can be found on page 19.