Agree, being in SOCAL my outerwear generally consists of fleece jackets and sweaters, layered when it's cold, but for traveling outside SOCAL in the winter that's just not enough. My latest find (50% off on sale) was a -40ºF parka -- waterproof nylon shell with down insulation. It has good reviews for whatever they're worth.

I've resisted down until now because of that water falling from the sky thing, but that seems to have been fixed. Once it's in hand I'll determine what kit the pockets should carry. Film at 11.

I'm acclimated to SOCAL now and my ability to shrug off the cold rain and wet snow I grew up with in PNW is long gone. A -40ºF parka should work for me down to about +20ºF