When we first moved to Wisconsin, we often received comments such as "Are you crazy? It has to be freezing there?" We'd laugh, acknowledge an element of truth, then retort, "Yeah, but we don't get as much snow."
Typically, a Wisconsin winter is tolerable. The days are sunny, and the nights are frigid. And I do mean, frigid. Temps often dip into the negative numbers. It is not uncommon for Madison to hover around the zero mark for an extended period of time. Kids at school actually play outside as long as the temperature stays above zero! So, if it is five degrees, they are outside playing!
The trade off? Less snow. Usually, frigid temps are offset by fewer mornings outside breaking our backs with a shovel.
Until last year, this proved to be true.
2007-08 winter boasted the highest snow total ever in Southeastern Wisconsin, over 100 inches of snow. We shoveled, complained, shoveled, and complained more, and after the winter was over, we sighed in solace that the "worst winter ever" was over.
Hmm. .. This year may prove to outdo last year. In December we have already had over 30 inches of snow! In the last two weeks, we have had two snow days! Before then, school kids joked that they had never had a snow day-- only a cold day when wind chills dip--. We just received 12 inches of snow last Friday morning. Saturday evening treated us to 3-4 more inches. This morning's forecast predicts 3-6 inches tonight and 4-7 inches on Wednesday.
Really? Seriously, Wisconsin? Is this a sick joke? I mean, we moved here thinking a snow blower would be an unnecessary shed stuffer, and now our shovels are bending three times a week!
And really? Is there no trade off? Because after this weekend's snow, our temps dipped into the frigid category, not breaching zero for two days straight. Seriously?? Wind chills were in the negative twenty to thirty. . . Really?
So, as last year begins to look like a Utopian fantasy, I will begin browsing my magazines for a snow blower and some hefty ear muffs. Seriously??
4 comments:
You should at home. After all, both you and Chris were born in the snow belt. You LOVE snow! :)
Really Ohio hasn't been much better the past couple years. Last year we had the wonderful blizzard of 08 that had us stuck inside for two many days. This year we haven't had much snow but alot of ice with more on the way later today.
Over the weekend we also experience -20 to -30 because of windchills.
So really it all sucks and I feel your pain!
OUCH! At least you'll have a white Christmas! We're getting upper 40's and rain - yeah...
Stay warm!!!
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