All around the country this winter has been unusual. We are told that humans are disrupting the norm and creating weather chaos by inaction. Because of human behavior blizzards, floods, fires, droughts are weather patterns that affect parts of the country in an unnatural and excessive manner. Temperatures in MN are the same as in parts of the south. Snow has been absent for the most part in a state that depends on the availability of skiing, skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, creating snow sculptures and other cold weather activities. Snow days that are anticipated by students have been nonexistent. Our snowblower’s gas tank is nearly full having been used only twice. Small green plants are emerging months ahead of their usual appearance. Trees are budding.

In MN our situation is more unusual than catastrophic. Except for many who love participating in the winter outdoor activities, others are appreciating the convenience of not dealing with snow that makes driving difficult and shoveling necessary. Golfers are tempted to rush the season as fairways are green and temperatures are in the 40s and 50s many days. Pickleball players have been enjoying the warmer spring. Neighborhood courts are in use.

Weather forecasters have been accurately preparing us with daily reports. Personally I’m grateful that we’ve been spared damaging storms. I’m sensitive to those whose experiences have been unusually extreme. Wildfires, hail, tornadoes, power outages, 20-inch snowfalls have made news for months.

I wonder what lies ahead of us for the summer. Predictions are varied. As accurate as the day-to-day forecasts have been, long-range looks are tentative. Minnesotans are survivors. May we have only pleasant temperatures to survive.