In message , Ken
Cook writes
Scott
You need to look at Colin Finch's 37 minus rule from around the mid
1970s. Someone in the COL archives department or with COL back copies
might have the references. That's where Colin published his work. It
was quite accurate for your area.

I think I remember that from a letter published in "Weather". IIRC, it
was that a spell of three or more consecutive days with a maximum
temperature less than 37F (3C) occurring before Christmas was an
indication of a cold winter. I don't recall the 17th of December being
specifically mentioned, though. There was a similar guideline for warm
summers based on a "warm snap" in May IIRC.
--
John Hall "Never play cards with a man called Doc.
Never eat at a place called Mom's.
Never sleep with a woman whose troubles
are worse than your own." Nelson Algren