One thing to be said for incandescent light bulbs ...

[unixronin]

... is that I've never seen one do this.

Update:  I just talked to Sylvania.  In addition to replacing this lamp and the one other failed CFL we have (a 40W unit that flickers), they want to see this one for a failure analysis.  I rather expected they would, and I'm glad they didn't disappoint me.

Comments

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

We've been buying Sylvania (their "bright white" and daylight bulbs only) and Bright Effects.

Relevant to your cold-environment question, we have CFLs in the outside floodlights at the front of the house, and use them mostly in winter (as it's then dark when people are leaving and returning to the house in the mornings and evenings). They do fire in winter conditions, but they need several minutes (instead of 30 seconds or so) to warm up to full output.