"Winter-like" summer?

What’s the coldest winter I’ve ever spent as a Floridian?

Mark Twain famously wrote that “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” but it applies equally well with Belgium summers.





Of course you hear sayings like that all the time, but just how true are they?

In the case of Belgium (as seen through the eyes of a Floridian), I say it’s a very true statement;

But don’t take my word for it:

Rather, take my numbers (… or at least a close look at this revealing graph).



Granted, data can only take you so far.

The true test is actually being there … or rather both “here” and “there,” as in both Belgium and Florida. (Currently I’m in Belgium.)


Belgium summers are to long pants what south Florida winters are to shorts:

They are the rule, although exceptionally a “heat wave” or blast of “cold air” dictates the alternative.


As to which is colder (or warmer), I’d say the jury is still out:

I need to see more data, plus weather the full mix of sunny and stormy days.

Answers typically reveal themselves over time.