Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS People living near mountains in the West or in northern New England will have the best chance of a white Christmas this year, according to the National Climatic Data Center in Maryland. Advertisement "A series of storms in the West make snow for Christmas likely there and northern New England always has a good chance, but it depends on the weather systems," Tom Ross, a meteorologist with NOAA, told UPI. "Actually, it could snow anywhere in the United States on Christmas -- it's happened in Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Fla., however, it would be very, very unusual to have it snow in Miami." NOAA used probability maps based on long-term averages of snowfalls to determine the probability of having at least 1 inch of snow on Dec. 25 based on data from 1961 to 1990. The report by NOAA is available online at nndc.noaa.gov. It contains maps and tables showing the probabilities for a snow depth of at least 1 inch on Christmas morning, as well as the probabilities for a depth of at least 5 inches and 10 inches by city. The probabilities are based on long-term climatology and not on current weather patterns. Advertisement According to NOAA, the places with the greatest probability (100 percent) for at least a 1-inch snow depth in the continental United State are: Marquette, Mich., Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Hibbing, Minn., International Falls, Minn., and Stampede Pass, Wash. But what about Buffalo, N.Y.? Isn't it considered to be the not only New York's snow capital but the nation's as well? Buffalo, which usually gets about 90 inches of snow a year, has only a 49 percent chance of having 5 inches of snow on the ground on Dec. 25, according to the NOAA probability data, NOAA meteorologist Richard Heim told UPI. However, using different weather data, meteorologists at the Northeast Regional Climate Center at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., gave the odds at 57 percent that Buffalo, N.Y., would see a white Christmas. (Thanks to UPI Science News Writer Alex Cukan) CAJUN HOLIDAY TRADITION In the Cajun country of southern Louisiana, bonfires are being prepared for a spectacular Christmas Eve display that lights up the sky along the Mississippi River and keeps alive a family tradition passed from generation to generation. More than 100 bonfires are being built on the levees near Gramercy -- most of them by men and women who can remember building the fires as children. At 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, the fires will be ignited as the families dine on gumbo and riverboats steam by on the river. Advertisement "You just come as a family," says Laurie Bourgeois. "You bring your drinks, bring whatever you want, and enjoy Christmas Eve." Her family is one of many involved in the annual Christmas Eve rite that has been carried on since the 1800s in the river parishes between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Although the history of bonfires can be traced to France and Germany, the reason the custom surfaced in the river parishes is a mystery. Many like to believe the bonfires were started to light the way for PaPa Noel -- the Cajun version of Santa Claus -- as he paddled his pirogue, or dugout canoe, on his appointed rounds. Others think they were to light the way for Catholics headed to midnight mass. Still others believe Marist priests who took over a nearby boy's college in 1864 began the tradition to entertain the students. The typical bonfire is teepee-shaped with six 20-foot-tall logs, standing about 10 feet wide at the bottom. The structure is then stuffed with other wood and wrapped in cane reeds and firecrackers for an explosive volley when the fires begin. However, the Gramercy Fire Department is more innovative. In the past, the firefighters have build log houses, plantation houses, ships, airplanes and even a tank. This year, they're working on a battleship. Advertisement (Thanks to UPI's Phil Magers in Dallas) OH, COME ALL YE FAITHFUL The south Indian state of Tamil Nadu boasts a new attraction at the fabled Mahabalipuram temples, which has become a new center of sex tourism. Standing proud among the lingams is a -- talking condom. "Hi," says the recorded message from Mr. Condom, who has a friendly smile painted on its face. "I am very happy that you know about me. I am a protector of informal sexual relations. If anybody utilizes me, they will realize my protection." Nearby sits a basket of Mr. Condom's little friends. Now accounting for half of the total HIV/AIDS cases reported in India, Tamil Nadu needs all the help it can get. (From UPI Hears) REASONS TO THIS WEEK: MONDAY: This is Christmas Eve, a family gift-giving occasion in many countries. And Libya celebrates its Independence Day today. The country achieved independence from Italy in 1951. TUESDAY: This is Christmas Day, the Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Actually, Jesus' exact birth date isn't known --- although it's been estimated he was born in about 3 B.C. in the town of Bethlehem --- and in fact, he may've been born in the spring, not winter. Christmas as a Feast of the Nativity dates from the 4th century, when the Western church set Dec. 25 for the feast --- possibly as a substitute for the various pagan celebrations popular at the time, including the Roman Saturnalia and Druidic winter solstice rites. Advertisement It's also A'Phabet Day, also known as "No-L" Day. And today through Dec. 31 is It's About Time Week, encouraging creativity applied to problems and honoring those who search for "a better way." (Web site: giftoftime.org) WEDNESDAY: Kwanzaa begins today and runs through New Year's Day. This seven-day festival stresses unity of the American black family, with a harvest feast (karamu) on the first day and a day of meditation on the final day. Kwanzaa means "first fruit" in Swahili. The Second Day of Christmas is a holiday in many countries. This is National Whiner's Day, a day dedicated to those whining about what they didn't get for Christmas. The Bahamas celebrates Junkanoo today. It's Boxing Day, a legal holiday in Canada, the United Kingdom and many other countries. In South Africa, it's known as Day of Goodwill. This is Day of the Wren on Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. It's a traditional day and night of public merrymaking. And the Blessing of the Wine takes place today in Greiveldange, Luxembourg. Winemakers go to church, where a barrel of wine is blessed. THURSDAY: This is St. John the Apostle's Feast Day, as observed by the Roman Catholic Church. FRIDAY: This is Holy Innocents Day, also known as Childermas. It commemorates the massacre of children in Bethlehem, as ordered by King Herod, who wanted to destroy the infant Jesus. Advertisement The National Anxiety Center is scheduled to release its annual list of the Most Dubious News Stories of the Year today. (Web site: anxietycenter.com) And South Australia observes Proclamation Day today. (Thanks to Chase's 2001 Calendar of Events) BY THE WAY... Before Ricky Martin became a pop star, the Latin heartthrob appeared on what TV soap opera? "General Hospital."
