Minnesota Spring: Another Week, Another Winter Storm.

Sunday, March 30, 2014. It's springtime in Minnesota, with another winter storm due to arrive late Monday night. The parish priest joked that God gave us this climate, so folks living elsewhere wouldn't envy the natural beauty of central Minnesota.

Thursday's storm encouraged the public school to lock up at 4:00 p.m., and cancel all afternoon and evening activities.


About noon, Thursday. March 27, 2014.

I'm just about ready for summer. Most of the snow should be gone by then. Here's a quick look at the week's weather.


Wednesday, and the band shell benches are nearly free of snow. March 26, 2014.


Thursday, 7:47 a.m.: mostly rain. March 27, 2014.


Thursday, 10:29 a.m., and snow has started. March 27, 2014.


Thursday. 1:07 p.m., and we're getting picture-postcard snow. March 27, 2014.


Saturday morning: clear blue sky, sunshine, fresh snow, and the streets have been cleared. March 29, 2014.

I'll say this for this spring's weather: it's kept our snow cover fresh. Here's another look out the front window.


Springtime in Minnesota: noon, March 27, 2014.

I checked the weather, and now we're looking forward to ice pellets Monday night. Either way, I'll be glad to stay inside.

Snow that Melts in the Spring, Tra-La: Springtime in Minnesota

Sunday, March 23, 2014. Minnesota's weather isn't boring. Here's what my webcam saw at about half past noon on Tuesday.


Snow, wind, school's closed. March 18, 2014.

Same scene, about 12:45 Thursday:


First day of spring: in Minnesota. March 20, 2014.

And again, a few minutes before 7:00 this evening:


The grass isn't exactly green yet: but it's visible. March 23, 2014.

Tuesday's winter storm left us with another eight inches of snow, and no school that day. It's been above freezing during the day, for the most part, since then: so yards are starting to look more like lawns and less like snowfields.


Tuesday's snow, during Wednesday's melt. March 19, 2014.


No concerts at the band shell this month. March 19, 2014.


The boat landing, north of downtown. Those are snowmobile tracks: and a patch of blue sky. March 19, 2014.


That sign describes what sort of plants folks see in that low spot: or will see, after spring gets through melting. March 19, 2014.

I'm looking forward to "spring" days that are the sort of "flowers that bloom in the spring tra-la" thing I've read about: by which time it will probably be early summer.

First Day of Spring: Sunshine and Snow

It's warmer than it looks: about 37° Fahrenheit. That's what my webcam (Small Town America: Central Minnesota) saw a few minutes ago.

The calendar says it's the first day of spring: but I'll be putting on a jacket to go outside for a while yet, anyway.

Related post:

• "Spring is Here: Minnesota Style"
  (March 16, 2014)

Spring is Here: Minnesota Style

Sunday, March 17, 2014. I've been a bit distracted this week. Our new granddaughter has been visiting, and her parents, of course. My wife set up a "Welcome" display in the front room/entry, spelling out "welcome A + S & Elizabeth."

Elizabeth is a little over a month old, so she won't be reading for some time: but it was a nice gesture. It's good to be a granddad.


Some folks shovel, some folks use snowblowers, and then there's more snow. March 11, 2014.

Meanwhile, spring is here: Minnesota style.


Mostly melting snow: and a suggestion of dirt and grass. Spring is here! March 12, 2014.


I doubt that any birds have used it yet, but some of the birdbath's water wasn't frozen. March 13, 2014.


Clear sky, sunshine, melting snow, water running in the gutter and — yes — a little grass. March 13, 2014.

Now I really should start catching up on sleep.

Weather's Warmer: Pipes Might Freeze

Sunday, March 9, 2014. We're letting water run from the kitchen faucet.


Some folks shovel, some folks use snowblowers, and then there's more snow. March 9, 2014.

It's not our idea. PUC, the Public Utilities Commission, spread the word that we should keep water running through the pipes.

"Let your water run to prevent frozen pipes!"
Sauk Centre Herald (March 4, 2014)

"Notice to all Sauk Centre Public Utilities Customers, ... encouraging all customers to let their water run the size of a pencil stream; you should continue to run this water until the ice is off the lake...."

Looks like we'll only be billed for our average water use this month. We're pretty careful about not wasting water, generally.

But if it's a choice between frozen pipes and running a little extra water, I'll run the water. We've had frozen pipes, and it's aggravating, to say the least.

That's all I've got for this week. We've been happily distracted with the first visit from the youngest member of #2 daughter and son-in-law's family, and ours:

• "Welcoming Our Granddaughter"
  Through One Dad's Eye (March 7, 2014)

The snow in town has an interesting glaze, from the above-freezing weather, but I'm not sure how well it will photograph.

Snow, Changes in the Church, Chilly Weather, More Snow, Ash Wednesday: and Still More Snow

Sunday, March 2, 2014. It's chilly this evening: -9.6 ° Fahrenheit. There's the usual wind chill advisory. This time it's not all that cold, and there's no blowing snow to speak of, so schools will probably open on time.

I've gotten a few robocalls from the public school, with 'two hours late' or 'no classes information. I've lost track of how many of which happened. This is a winter when I've been very glad to not have an 'outside' job.

The first photo is from last week: but it's about the same scene I've seen out the window this week, too: and the week before last. We don't have a shortage of snow, and I've said that before.


Some folks shovel, some folks use snowblowers, and then there's more snow. February 21, 2014.

Our Lady of Angels church carved out more space for folks with wheelchairs. Whoever did the carpentry on the two pews did a fine job. It looks like 'it's always been that way.' A few indentations on the carpet tell a different story.


More space for folks with wheelchairs at Our Lady of Angels church. March 1, 2014.

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the kickoff event for Lent. I'm looking forward to that.


Snow, blue sky, sunshine. It's nice to be inside. March 2, 2014.

Like I said: we've got a lot of snow this winter.