The Twin Cities media (and to a certain extent, the local media too) have been freaking out about the impending cold weather. As per usual, the wind chill factor is blown way out of proportion. For one thing, it hasn't been a windy winter. And for another thing, why are we so very keen to make it sound 10 - 20 degrees colder than it actually is?
On Tuesday night, Andy pulled himself up from a sleepy daze on the couch and yelled at the radio "If I hear 'wind chill factor' one more time. . . ."
Since we've already hit -30F three nights so far this winter, no one around here is terribly, dear I say, interested in the chilly forecast. Winter is winter is winter. Once you get into the minus 0 temps, it's just plain cold. Make sure the firewood's stacked high and make sure you're bundled tight before you head out the door and you'll be all right. It's just business as usual during a Minnesota winter.
Over at Mama Kat's, people are posting what winter looks like in their neck of the woods. I know you've all seen plenty of snowy pictures, but here's the northern Minnesota winter in review so far.
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| Out in the first 6 inches of snowfall this season |
It all started on November 13th. For some reason, I thought the first snow had come on November 15th and was shocked(!) to find it actually started coming down on the evening of November 13.That means we're already in our 10th week of a winter wonderland.
Even after the first foot of snow settled in for the long haul, we still had to wait another 2-3 weeks for the bay outside the cabin to completely ice over.
Now it's hard to believe there was ever open water outside our window. Let me tell you, it's a lot faster trip out to island now than in July.
I've never been winter's biggest cheerleader, but there's no denying there have been some spectacular moments.
I love your photos! I live in MN too. Beautiful, winter wonderland! Stopping by from Mama Kat's. New follower.
ReplyDeleteMy nine year old went snowshoeing for the first time on a school field trip yesterday. She said she hated it. I don't think it was the activity she was opposed to so much as the snowshoes themselves. She kept telling me they were made out of deer guts.
ReplyDeleteOh and I totally go by the wind chill, because for me it's all about how cold it FEELS. I can't imagine -30. The coldest it's been here so far is -5.
Oh boy, do Minnesotans like to obsess about/ fixate on the weather... can't we try thinking about something less banal than the windchill? for just one day?
ReplyDeleteI would be very much upset hearing about the chill too. Just reading about it here makes me shiver, even worse, whine, WHY did we ever leave Andalucia! Your pics are gorgeous. I admire the beauty of the winter, understand the necessity yet I breath easier when Spring arrives.
ReplyDeleteWe don't get much of a winter in southeast Texas, and I like it that way, but I really do love looking at your pictures!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! I'm out by the IL area (before that, an East Coast girl from Poland, I know, I'm complicated!) so this year is our first winter without the Appalachian mountains keeping us protected. And it's cold! But it definitely is beautiful. Love your photo of the sky! Btw, I'm stopping by from Mama Kat's also...
ReplyDeleteI don't feel so bad about all our below zero days and snowfalls after seeing how much snow you got! I guess living in a cold climate is not for everyone and if it was, then it'd be so crowded. And not so peaceful. I always love your photos.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am envious!! Gray skies and just rain here. I hear Minnesota is beautiful and the people friendly.
ReplyDeleteHaha, That looks horribly cold, but absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour snow pictures are beautiful but temperatures below zero--no thanks! Can't imagine what 24 and 30 below would feel like. Sometimes it gets 10 below here in Cleveland, but fortunately, not often. Hope you come visit us to see our Cleveland winter pictures.
ReplyDeletehttp://zemeks.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-winter-looks-like-in-cleveland.html
I live in NH and I'm amazed at how surprised people are with the winter weather here. Every possible storm drives people to the grocery store to stock up on water and supplies. It's New England! It's cold. We get snow. They plow. Even in worse case scenarios, you're not stranded in your house for more than a day at most and then you can go to the grocery store. People are funny.
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