MONDAY'S and Tuesday's rain followed by Wednesday's snow squalls provided a perfect warm-up for Baltimore motorists preparing for the winter snow panic. There were plenty of opportunities for harmless slip-sliding around while gunning the engine, losing control on expressway entrance ramps and leaving the car in heavy traffic to wipe the windshield. One moron managed to stall in the fast lane of the JFX at the height of Tuesday's morning rush.

It was a splendid practice run. We're ready now for the real thing!