Ara

You are right. It's melting like gang-busters. The 5 or 6 warmest years in the last century fell within the last 6 or 7 years, I believe. Read about it just yesterday but can't remember exact details and what site.

The mild weather sitting over the mid-west is the reason that Europe and Russia are suffering bitter cold this winter. They are getting the cold air that usually comes to the US via Artic Canadian weather. This year the cold is blowing down from around Greenland and hitting Europe more than they usually get.

It's been in the 50s here in Iowa for the last couple of days and only one snow fall since November.

It's super warm here in Columbus, Ohio. I just wore a tanktop and flip flops to the supermarket and, last night, wore a light jacket to the bar - and I didn't just go from the bar, to the building, I walked (with friends) the two miles from here (home) to there! It was wonderful!

...Oh, and as a former resident of Canada's far North, I know only too well the loss that will occur through a significant climate change up there. Most people's misconception of the North is of a wasteland. It ain't.

Jerry,

You're thinking of February, not January. January hasn't seen temps this high since before I was born. That's what the weather guy said last night, anyway.

it's a bit chilly in Houston at the moment. it's 45, but our high is 69. we're moving in an apartment with a fireplace this weekend, so some cooler weather would be nice.