Winter Is Coming

It seems as though a lot of local people keep complaining that it's going to be so cold for Thanksgiving in these parts. 

This is the forecast:

I know I'm getting old, and I've been here in Minnesota close to 40 years... but geez, people, the mid- to high 20s is not cold, even for late November. It's pretty average. Those highs are barely below freezing. 

Their reaction is indicative of how mild the past few winters, and especially our fall seasons, have been, and mine is about how long I've been here. While I don't remember the true "Minnesota winters" that long-time residents talk about — since I only got here in 1986 when temperatures had already starting to warm a bit — I do remember winters that were colder than the ones we've had lately. Winter warming has accelerated noticeably in the past 10 years, which has meant inconsistent snow cover and more freeze-thaw cycles. The USDA finally changed the Twin Cities' planting zone from 4b to 5a, for instance, recognizing that we hadn't gone below –20°F in 30 years.

We don't yet have the frequent ice storms that are common in the lower Plains states. It's still a bit too cold for that. But look at those rain predictions on the forecast when it says the high is 25° or 24°F. Something to look forward to.