As predicted, Maryland feels a whole lot more like December this morning than it did just three days ago, on Dec. 1, when the high temperature at BWI reached a record 75 degrees. As I sit here this morning, looking out over the Maryland Penitentiary, the thermometer beside the Sun's Big-Shot Lot reads 35 degrees - 40 degrees colder. And it's hardly budged since 7 a.m. In fact, it was warmer out there - 41 degrees - at 5 a.m. Here are the BWI readings.

You can thank the surge of cold, Canadian air that's been pouring into the region since the cold front passed through here with a lot of blustery wind and a quick shot of rain on Friday. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view), the coastal storm has slipped north and east toward New England, leaving Maryland will little more than some clouds and showers early today. And those have now scooted off, escaping before the cold air caught up to them and turned rain to slushy snow.

Actually, the weather service says eastern Harford County did see some sleet with their shower early this morning. The storm center is now harassing the coast of New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. The cold wind is also touching off lake-effect snows to our north.

But all we need to contend with this week are cold nights - the coldest of the season so far, with lows in 20s to near 30. Our days should be pretty sunny, but cold, with highs in the 30s and 40s. That's about 10 degrees below normal for this time of year. And somehow, it finally feels right.