"Tirty Below" in this neck-of-the-woods

[weekycat]

I got up this morning and looked at the indoor/outdoor thermometer, and that's what it said, tirty below... and that ain't even countin' the windchill factor.

That's about as cold as in gets in these here parts. In fact they said it was the coldest it's been since Dec. of 1996. I think our "high" today was -6.

Most of the schools in MN were either closed or running two hours late... not ours... I was tempted to keep my first grader home anyway, but we drove her to school. I sure as hell wasn't going to let her wait for the bus.

I just want to crawl under a blanket and hibernate until spring!

 

[Nancy]

Yikes Jean, that's terrible! Must be lots of system failures, gas lines, water lines, etc. there.

 

[Ross]

It's cold here, but not that cold. I cringed when I saw your temps on the news. Does this mean that we'll have a summer this year? We didn't have one last year.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Gosh it's awful isn't it? We were -2 or -3 today according to the reading my car gave me

Since this weather has started I have been feeling horrible. My breathing is labored and I am dizzy. Better when indoors. This is the first -0 zero temps I have experienced since prior to surgery. We were down south in TN for four years.

We have our sights set on warmer places. Another 2-3 and we hope to be out of here! This is coming from a born and rasied native of the area. Guess if we never left in the first place.... I would be none the wiser. What's that old saying "this is for the birds". Well...maybe not even them at this point unless you like um' frozen.

 

[Lorraine]

Yesterday morning real temperature was -12 at Ohare at 5:00am. Wind Chill was -27!

Almost didn't go to work, but I did. This too is the first time I've experienced real cold weather since OHS!

Wouldn't be such a problem except I commute by train to Chicago everyday. Stood on platform outside at train station for 20 minutes, because train was late. Just about froze and was worried about breathing the frigid air! Got on train and it was freezing. No relieve there! Had to keep coat and gloves on all the way downtown. Decided to take a taxi verses taking a bus and still have to walk a couple of blocks!

On the way home same thing happen. Train was late getting into the station. Got on train there was no elctricity in cars and it was freezing cold! They finally got the lights on! The whole week was cold but yesterday was the worse!
Please tell me...........When and Where is Spring!

 

[LUVMyBirman]

My gosh Lorraine! Glad you are ok without a nasty case of frostbite!

What's deal with the train? I would be calling Channel 7 and let them blow the horn. They will fix that heat in a hurry! That is just downright inhumaine!

 

[Lorraine]

Gina,

My bosses brother said it was all over the 5:00pm news yesterday about the trains being late and the freezing cars. SO someone had already complained. I did ask the conductor when they were going to turn on the heat and he just looked at me! In the morning the conductor didn't even come through and check our tickets. Was probably afraid to!

I wasn't worried about frostbite if I was only going to be out there for 10 minutes because I do dress in layers. I wear silk sock liner, knee high socks and wool wigwam socks over that then fur lined boots. Long under wear tops and bottoms, pants and blazer, two scarfs, hooded jacket and thick gloves. Waiting another 15+ though took its toll on me. I was physically drained and exhausted last night. In fact I still am.

I've been looking at everyone with fur coats on and they do look warm but I don't think I could drive with one on. They're so bulky and I have to sit right on top of the steering wheel to reach the gas pedal!

I think next time it's -12 or lower I'm just going to stay home! Commuting by train can be brutal!

 

[George DiMundo]

You midwesterners are a lot tougher than I am. I have been having a hard time breathing the moist 50 degree air on the central coast of California. I'd rather take a chance on the occasional earthquake anytime. I'd doff my hat to all of you but my bald head is already cold.

 

[weekycat]

Hey George,

I've always said that 50 degrees is the magic number in Minnesota. The first time it gets down to 50 in the Fall, everyone gets out their winter jackets. A few months later, when Spring rolls around, the first time it gets up to 50, we're all walking around in our T-shirts and shorts!

I guess it's all a matter of what you get used to. After a few weeks of -20, even zero doesn't seem too bad, as long as the sun is shining, and there's no wind.

 

[dwfreck]

-9 here Friday night. 32 now, and that feels warm! I feel like going skiin' in my shorts!