Balmy Sochi

I didn't realise that Sochi was not such a good place to rely on cold weather for winter Olympics:

Weather challenges are no surprise in Sochi or the adjacent mountains — this is one of Russia's few regions with a subtropical climate. Warm, rainy days forced the cancellation of several international test events last winter.

The Russians prepared for the Games by installing a massive snow-making system and stockpiling snowfall beneath thermal blankets over the summer. They also got lucky with early winter storms that provided ample coverage.

But none of that could entirely counteract the nearly balmy weather that arrived here this week.

The forecast today:  18 degrees!