IN TRULY UN-MINNESOTAN fashion, I have penned very little this winter about the weather. That is atypical of a life-long resident. We are, if anything, obsessed about weather in Minnesota. We take pride in our cold weather, our snow, in managing to persevere in an often harsh climate. Weather affects our lives on a daily basis.
But this winter season, our image as the Bold Cold North has significantly changed. These past four months have been primarily snow-less and unseasonably warm. Sure, we’ve had a bit of snow and some cold snaps with sub-zero temperatures. Yet nothing like we’ve come to expect.
As I write, I look out my office window to a scene devoid of snow. The temperature is 46 degrees. At 9:51 a.m. on an early March morning. Laundry is drying on the clothesline. And the sun blazes bright upon the monotone landscape.
If I look closely, I see signs of spring come too soon. I need only examine my perennial flowerbeds to find spring flowers emerging from the soil. Under a layer of dried leaf mulch, I uncover a single crocus tipped on its side. I push more leaves aside revealing tender shoots of crocuses and daffodils. They need sunlight to thrive.
Tulips and irises are up, too. Too soon. Not yet blooming. I noticed tulip bulbs popping greenery already in February.
All of this is an anomaly. We should be experiencing snowstorms and school closures, hearing the scrape of snowplows, the roar of snowblowers. Kids should be skating and sledding. As much as I appreciate the lack of icy roads and sidewalks, no snow to clear and no worry about winter weather, it just doesn’t feel right.
I’ve realized that I really do like the diversity of distinct seasons in Minnesota. There’s something to be said about anticipating spring after a long hard winter, like we experienced last year with record snowfall…
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
The climate is warming but this weird non-winter seems to have been largely due to El Niño. NOAA is saying that La Niña will be back by next winter – bringing with it the cold and snow that defines (partially at least) Minnesota. But not too much cold and snow – no need to try for the 2nd snowiest winter on record as the 3rd snowiest was enough for us.
I’m with you on not wanting a winter like we had last year. That was too much for this life-long Minnesotan.
I’m seeing spring flowers popping up too. I hope they survive.
That’s always the question. Will they survive and bloom?
Enjoy ypur Springtime flowers!!☀️
Hopefully no big snow storms to cover them up in April:)
have a sunshine day!! 💕kathyg
There’s plenty of time left for snowstorms for sure. We shall see.
pretty much the same here in Michigan. while I can’t say I wasn’t happy during my last winter of commuting for work, that the weather stayed mostly mild, it does worry me, as far as global warming and the loss of our seasons
Yes, it’s certainly been a much better winter than last for travel/commuting/daily driving. And, yes, I share your concern about our diminishing seasons.
Yay, Spring! We are also have an early spring. Love it!
This balmy winter has made life a lot easier for sure. Back to the 30s on Sunday though.