December Already?

Here it is, the fourth day in December and from looking outside you couldn't tell the difference.  People are outside, running in shorts and a tshirt.  Am I mistaken or do I remember December and even part of November as typically having snow at this time in the year?  Mondays warm weather provided record setting high temperatures for the month across the country.  In Madison, the high of 65 degrees broke the previous record set on December 5, 2001.  Should we embrace the warm weather with a grain of salt?  Should be concerned at the unusually warm temperatures?  As someone who believes that efforts must be made to reduce human impact on global warming, I worry that this weather may have implications for future winters.  I am no meteorologist or weather specific scientist, but I do recognize patterns.  This year gave us our earliest summer in memory and warmest start to the winter.  Alas, I shall enjoy the beautiful weather while it is here.  The forecast shows a cold front heading our way this week, so for everyone in the southeastern United States, enjoy the next couple of days because they may be followed by weather that we are more accustomed to.