Lots of snow . . .but not this year . . .YET!

Troy Aikman was in Chicago to announce a football game one weekend when he noticed a special telephone near the Bears bench. He asked a nearby player what it was used for and was told it was a hotline to God. Troy asked if he could use it. The player told him, "Sure, but it will cost you $100.00."

Troy scratched his head, then thought, what the heck. I could use some help picking games. He pulled out his wallet and paid the $100.00. Troy’s picks were perfect that week.

The next week, Troy was in Texas when he noticed that same kind of phone on the Cowboys' bench. He asked what the telephone was for and was told "It's a hotline to God. If you want to use it, it will cost you $500.00."

Recalling last weekend, Troy pulled out his wallet and made the call. Troy’s picks were perfect again that week!

The next weekend Troy was in Green Bay at Lambeau Field when he noticed the same kind of phone by the Packers' bench. He asked Aaron Rodgers "Is that the hotline to God?" Aaron said, "Yes, but it will cost you 35 cents".

Troy looked incredulously at Aaron and said, "Wait a second, I just paid $100.00 in Chicago and $500.00 in Texas to use the same phone to God. Why does Green Bay only charge 35 cents?"

Aaron looked at Troy and replied, "In Green Bay, it's a local call"
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Tomorrow is the solstice, the shortest day of the year and the day we start are long slow climb to summer. The earth is the closest to the sun but also tilting 23.5 degrees away from ol' Sol.

This December, at the moment, is the 7th warmest December in history. There is no frost in the ground yet and I doubt we will have a white Christmas which is not really that unusual. In fact a white Christmas only happens 4 out of 7 times but we have had five in a row.

Since 1970, 71% of winters in Madison have had official snowfall totals of over 40 inches, with the most recent 30 year average of nearly 50 inches even after you eliminate the recent 100 inch winter.

Between 1900 and 1970, only 30% of winters had snowfall over 40 inches. The average was only about 35 inches per winter.

Between 1900-1970, there were 8 streaks of more than 3 winters in a row with snowfall under 35". There were no streaks of 3 or more winters with over 40". There has only been one such streak under 35" since 1970 but 4 streaks of 5 winters or more over 40".
 
Bottom line - we get a lot more snow now then we did when we were growing up (if you were born in the 50s and 60s).
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