It’s Southern California.  The only place there is snow is in the mountains.  The cities have unbelievably mild winters where 70°F temperatures are common in the winter.  The coldest winter nights seldom go below freezing  (32°F).  Today the temperature was 50°F at 8 a.m. and reached 71°F.  Most of us know how fortunate we are.  I was born in Canada.  Thanks Dad!

This article from the local newspaper says it better than me.

Need a reminder why we live here? Just step outside

By Susan Abram, Staff Writer

Updated: 12/01/2008 11:03:03 PM PST

If you’re feeling a little down from all the bad news lately, just look up and let the amber glow of the sun melt your worries away.

Not bad for December, huh?

It could definitely be worse. This is how The Weather Channel describes what’s about to descend on parts of the nation:

“A polar cold front howling southward out of Canada tomorrow will hurl snow and wind into Montana and northern Wyoming – a true meteorological shock …”

That’s right, howling and hurling. It’s dipping into freezing temperatures in the Midwest. That means if you leave a can of pop on a Chicago or Milwaukee sidewalk for too long, it’ll explode under pressure. Apparently, soda hates the chill, too.

And New York?

Fuggedaboutit. Step outside without layers of wool and that slice of pizza you scarfed down for lunch will give you a bad case of “agita,” Italian-American slang for heartburn.

Meanwhile, temperatures in Los Angeles are expected to take their time falling to somewhere even partially resembling winter.

The mercury will drop from a high of 80 on Monday to about 74 today.

Weather forecasters say we can expect much of the same the rest of the week across most of the San Fernando Valley.

Take that, Cleveland!

susan.abram@dailynews.com 818-713-3664