Time of the Season

Winter in Florida. I've experienced 17 of them. As I've stated from time to time, I have ample wardrobe to handle cooler temps and welcome a long Florida version of a "cold" snap. Every year I beg for a longer winter here. This year I finally got my wish. Like most of the country, Florida has had a record setting season, including snow in some areas for the first time in 30 years.

A typical Tampa winter consists of low temperatures near freezing for 2-3 weeks, then highs climbing back into the 70s and 80s. This time around, we've had weeks and months with average highs in the 50s, several freezes, actual wind chills and days of gray skies like I haven't seen since leaving New York.

Some blame our weather on Global Warming, some think it's just a once in a lifetime freak season. Me, while I absolutely believe in Global Warming, I'm in the El Niño camp on this one. I suppose Global Warming could be influencing the intensity of El Niño, but I don't really care what the reason is. I'm just glad to have a real winter for a change.