Apocalyptic wall of fog rolls in off Lake Superior toward the helpless people of Duluth, Minnesota.

Created by warmer lake waters evaporating in the -18 degree air, the churning cliff of fog was stunning but harmless.

However, it was a sign of much harder times to come for the state and its neighbors, which will find themselves suffering dangerous blizzard conditions when a powerful winter storm hits on Christmas day.

Meanwhile, here in California, the rain is pounding against the house, probably the hardest rain so far this winter.   Although Duluth is of course very beautiful, I prefer California winters to those in the upper midwest (wink!).