We need to get something straight folks (Wausau, Superior: spring break, home)

[KateDaum]

I agree that the winters aren't bad either. We are moving around Lake Superior. We have had our place for a few years and spend extended periods up there. I don't know anyone up there who thinks that winter last for 6 months. Most of them are working the soil to get ready to plant by the end of March. And I see lot of activity outside in January.
I also don't find the days very cloudy. We were there for much of January and the days were mostly sunny. We live in NH right now. They have a lot of cloudy days. I think the tropical storms and hurricanes drive the cloudy,wet weather our way.
In NH it is dark by 4:30.

[ravenstone]

I think our fond memories of cold, bleak, snowy winters full of snowball fights, snow forts, face washes, snow in our jacket sleeves, frozen hair, etc., are colored by youth, when we didn't know the joy of starting, then sitting in, a frozen car, keeping the accelerator floored, hoping it wouldn't sputter out before the engine warmed up enough to dash back in and get the kids out & off to school. Or trying to maneuver said car w/broken defroster on 3" thick ice... it's just an accumulation, no one particular year. I think the weather patterns will come back around & there'll be plenty of snow again not too far off in the future. Lucky stiffs. Literally. lol

It did snow 6" here in AL one week years ago, and it picked a week I was in basic training -- all of us northerners were saying, "Crap, we gotta go to the field in this!" .....and all the southerners, Californians, etc., were running around in it, laughing and having snowball fights. They weren't laughing the next day when they woke up to it! lol

Everyone gets cold; some can just function better in it. It's not 'worse' there than anywhere else, but Wisconsinites are proud of the cold winters. If you gotta have 'em, might as well enjoy 'em

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by escapetacoma

I wonder when the greyness is going to start? You mention weeks and weeks of greyness but I'll be happy to take that in trade for the months and months of it that I left behind in Tacoma We've been here since mid-May and today was the closest to a completely grey day that I can remember - and there was still more sunshine today than there were in some weeks last November in Tacoma (last November was exceptional but the standard is to assume that the sun disappears in mid-October to go somewhere pleasant until April.)

Escape - Sure, it isn't as grey and cloudy here as Tacoma, but think of where you are comparing it to! I mean, to use an analogy, it would be like someone who lived in Death Valley...then they moved to Las Vegas, NV...and they'd say - I don't know why everyone thinks that Las Vegas is so hot in the summer, compared to Death Valley, summers are not too bad! Sure, they may be correct in their reference point, but compared to the normal, average locale in the US, they'd be a bit off; Vegas summers are hot!

Wisconsin winters - truth be told - are quite grey. Summers? No. Falls? No. Springs - early, yes - late, no. But winters? Yes, overall, quite grey. Pac NW-esque grey? No, but no where in the US is it grey like that. However, from about mid or late November through late March / early April, it typically is fairly grey with admittedly some days of sunshine breaking through.

That isn't to bash our winters...they are what they are...but if you are looking for a sunny climate, wintertime in WI isn't the first place to look.

In December 2005 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee set a record for the area with 17 consecutive days with cloudy skies and no sun. On the day the sun finally peaked through, it was darn-near cause for jubiliation! Granted, this was a bit extreme even for Milwaukee in winter, but 2.5 weeks with no sunshine isn't always easy for folks.

Thus far this year, we've had more sunshine in November than what is usual, and I am for one very pleased about it!

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by EnjoyEP

In December 2005 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee set a record for the area with 17 consecutive days with cloudy skies and no sun. On the day the sun finally peaked through, it was darn-near cause for jubiliation! Granted, this was a bit extreme even for Milwaukee in winter, but 2.5 weeks with no sunshine isn't always easy for folks.

I just took a quick look at Seattle's weather data for last October through this January. They listed 10/31/2006 as a sunny day. The next one was 1/12/2007. There were a smattering of partly cloudy days in there to break up the monotony, but not many. 2.5 weeks I can deal with And if it isn't raining some every day it will be that much the better!

Remember, though, that Seattle isn't the worst place in the US for cloudy days! Take a look at Juneau, Alaska sometime <shiver>

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by escapetacoma

I just took a quick look at Seattle's weather data for last October through this January. They listed 10/31/2006 as a sunny day. The next one was 1/12/2007. There were a smattering of partly cloudy days in there to break up the monotony, but not many. 2.5 weeks I can deal with And if it isn't raining some every day it will be that much the better!

Remember, though, that Seattle isn't the worst place in the US for cloudy days! Take a look at Juneau, Alaska sometime <shiver>

OK, again, yeah, compared to Seattle, Milwaukee's winter (or virtually anywhere in the US), is the sun belt! But still, that isn't saying much!

And when I mean the US, I don't mean Alaska...I guess I should caveat it with the term "lower 48"...Alaska is a whole 'nother animal.

[lover13]

Oh dear, how true you are!!! I moved from Illinois to Footville, Wisconsin almost ten years ago, and I have hated every winter for as long as I can remember!! I do enjoy snow, but I get sick of it fairly quick and I don't mind the cold, but when the heat goes out in your house and blankets are scarce, your only thoughts are that tomorrow you are buying a house in florida! I have really enjoyed the past few summers here because it just gets so warm out that you forget the dread of winter, but other than that, you are completely right that people wanting to move to wisconsin need a fair forewarning! Had I known, or had it even been my choice, I would have reconsidered the state to move to because of the climate and the boringness in general of living in a hicktown in wisconsin. I'm 18 and live in a huge farming community, so when its not the snowmobiling season, its milking cow season and road construction season! I learned to drive two different ways- one, try to not speed as much when you are in a foot of snow, and two, try to not hit every cone/barrel/machine/worker when your in the construction zones!!! So yeah, once again, if you plan on moving anywhere in Wisconsin.. this is your forewarning and once you get past all of that, its really not too bad enjoy

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by escapetacoma

I just took a quick look at Seattle's weather data for last October through this January. They listed 10/31/2006 as a sunny day. The next one was 1/12/2007. There were a smattering of partly cloudy days in there to break up the monotony, but not many. 2.5 weeks I can deal with And if it isn't raining some every day it will be that much the better!

Remember, though, that Seattle isn't the worst place in the US for cloudy days! Take a look at Juneau, Alaska sometime <shiver>

If it's going to be cloudy, I would like to see some snow, rain, or fog. Rain makes me laid back and relaxed like a maryjane lover. Snow I love to play in. Fog is fun to run around in.

[susancruzs]

I'm looking forward to some snow. The last couple of years in NE Illinois we haven't had too much. I suppose not working and not having to get out there in traffic makes a difference.

I live on a corner though and shoveling the sidewalk may get old if we get alot of snow but then exercise isn't a bad thing.

I've been amazed at the weather so far, way nicer fall this time around but that can change any day now!

I'll post back if the days turn totally cloudy and lots of snow comes!

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by susancruzs

I'm looking forward to some snow. The last couple of years in NE Illinois we haven't had too much.

Susan - This past winter (2006-2007), the Milwaukee area - which is really close to NE IL - received over 60 inches of snowfall, including major storms as early as early December and as late as mid-April; a considerable snowfall year. Did much of that miss NE IL (go north)? I am actually just curious, as I would've thought much of that snow would've hit NE IL too.

[Dea13]

Although Milwaukee area had 58.1" snowfall for 2006-2007, Kenosha and Racine were only 38.7". I remember snow was always a little north of us (Village of Caledonia in Racine) last winter. I didn't see nearly enough snow. Yes, I'm one of those people who actually likes snow. And before anyone asks, yes I have to drive to work in it each day, 19 miles each way.

Here's a link to snowfall for WI for 2006-2007

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/mkx/p...7/0607snow.gif

Dea13