I have never experienced really cold weather and never thought I would until I booked a flight to Minnesota to visit relatives who just moved to that State.
As a Washington DC resident, I see some cold days. One time it got down to 10 degrees but that was in the middle of the night and I was sleeping. Most days are above freezing.
I was told that in Minnesota it can get to 40 below zero, with a wind chill that goes to 90 below. Exposed skin is frost bitten if is out for more than a few seconds.
What did I get my self into?
MN in late December, tell us your ';cold weather'; storiesit%26#39;s rare, but occassionaly it does get down that cold.
We experienced it in Jan 2005, on a ski trip in Northern MN - along the North Shore at Lutsen.
It was so cold, no one in our group skied. And on the last day, one of the cars wouldn%26#39;t start, with out that fuel additive HEAT and lots of patience.
Usually if it%26#39;s just cold out, and you%26#39;re going to be outside for any period of time, just dress in layers - and don%26#39;t forget cap %26amp; gloves.
MN in late December, tell us your ';cold weather'; storiesOh--I got one--I got one.
We were staying in Grand Portage--on Lake Superior, just south of the Canadian border. It was COLD. I%26#39;m not exactly sure but in the minus 20 range (temp not wind chill).
A life long MN resident, I tried all the tricks to get my car started, but no luck. So I gave up and called the nearest tow truck, which was in a little town just down the road. I explained my problem, and the woman expressed some sympathy, and said that they%26#39;d be there to help.
As soon as they could get the tow truck started.
I grew up in Minnesota and do recall some do recall some 60 below windchill temps. I remember being so excited when the temps rose up into the 30s! We%26#39;d go out in just our sweaters! It was like ';spring is here!';. Now I live in Arizona and complain that I%26#39;m freezing to death when its in the high 60s. My parents - who still live in Minnesota - come out to Arizona for Christmas and wear shorts and t shirts, while I sit bundled in my sweats and a blanket. I guess your body really does adjust to the climate!
It%26#39;s really not that bad. HAving lived in both MN and DC, I actually prefer the cold in MN to the winter in DC. Why? Humidity. The cold in MN, even when it is -40 F, is a dry cold and is actually nice. You can walk around and while you are cold, you don%26#39;t feel like you%26#39;re suffering.
The humid stuff in DC, even when 25 or 35 F, sinks into your bones and makes me feel miserable.
It%26#39;s actually fun to be in extreme cold, kind of like skydiving, you%26#39;re not sure if you will make it, but when you walk inside, you%26#39;re okay and you look forward to another day.
I don%26#39;t know if you have visited yet, but keep in mind that it rarely gets that cold, even in the northern part of the state. When it does, you stay inside! Having also lived in the DC area, I%26#39;ll take the cold any day over those muggy 100 degree August days in the District. Much worse than a little cold, windy air, as far as I%26#39;m concerned...
Its amazing living in Minnesota because right now it is in the 20%26#39;s and it seems like a heat wave has gone through here. It is very rare that we will get the 40 below days and yes it can get really really cold when the wind starts to blow. As stated before, when that happens you just stay inside. In the past ten years we have had more days missed from school for it being too cold and its rare that we will actually get a snow day.
It%26#39;s a dry cold. ;)
When I was a kid we lived in the Balt-DC metro area and my dad would often travel back to MSP for business. He always said it could be ~30-40 degrees in metro DC yet he would feel really cold. When he landed in MSP it could be -10 below and not feel nearly as cold as he did in DC.
Cold is cold.........
Dress in layers..couple pairs of socks.......gloves, etc.
You gotta love winter sports to be happy here...
Winter most of the year...
Well, well, well, Conversationalist. Welcome to Minnesota. Yep . . . it gets cold here (not like Vegas, my man!) but 90 below windchill is a bit of an exaggeration. When are you visiting?
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