When does it start to warm up? (Des Moines: living, buses)

[atler8]

When I was a kid, there were some incredibly cold & snowy winters that set records.
What we began to see were electric cords dangling out of the front grille work on cars. People had taken to a new method whereby a car could be plugged in somehow to heat it up to better the chances of it cranking in the cold.
Now that was cold!!
One winter was so snowy that cars were crashing into each other at intersections in town & out in the country because the snow had been piled so high via plowing that visibility was impossible. Enterprising folks took to tying little red ribbons & strings on their car antennas so as to be seen at the intersections.
And it was probably that same snowy winter that it drifted so deeply on the back north side of our one story house that you could walk on up the drift & straight unto the roof.
Now that was snowy!

[Omahahonors]

This is the deepest winter since the 1980s, no doubt. 2013 is close to the coldest year I can remember also since the 1980s. It just has been an excessive year and is kinda rare.

Usually the average temperature begins to climb in mid January (few places a little sooner or later). You begin to really notice the temperature increases in mid February as the rate of increase is accelerated and th overall increase has been building up for a while.

Also, there are 3 people that like or don't mind winter for every one person like Elle that is annoyed by it or finds their life to be in misery.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Omahahonors

Also, there are 3 people that like or don't mind winter for every one person like Elle that is annoyed by it or finds their life to be in misery.

My life is just fine, thanks. I moved to the desert and will be sunbathing today!

If you read my Facebook feed from those back in Iowa I would say I disagree with the above statement, however. Not ONE person has anything but complaints about winter.

[Chelito23]

It seems like a lot of people from the Upper Midwest do like the Winter weather. Since it lasts so long, people make the most out of it with icy hockey, skiing, snow mobiling, ice skating, etc. However, I think the excessive cold and lack of sun or "thaws" in an average Winter tend to bother most people and in the same token, most people are sick of Winter by the time February rolls around, are ready for vacations down south and eagerly anticipating Spring.

Have you all seen the forecast for early next week? Coldest air since the mid 90s.

The silver lining is that weather tends to equal out when all is said and done. There could very well be a wonderful mid Winter warm up in late January lasting well into February...and a mild Spring. Here's to hoping!

[arctic_gardener]

Depends on what you mean by "warm up". Statistically, temps began to significantly increase in late February. But truly warm weather won't be consistent until May.

[atler8]

Your last paragraph here is very true Chelito23.
I've noticed that historically-speaking the record keeping data shows that no winter stays completely above or below normal wherever you are in the continental U.S. In other words, what we all have going now may be reversed & erased 2 weeks down the road.

[ElleTea]

Honestly, I don't think "most" people who live in the upper midwest enjoy the winter. I think the majority of them tolerate it or don't care for it. Yes, there are those who just love winter, but I think they are in the minority.

I lived in Iowa my whole life up until a month ago and I can seriously only think of TWO people that I know that truly love winter, a bunch that hate it, and the rest just deal with it because that it where they live.

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

Honestly, I don't think "most" people who live in the upper midwest enjoy the winter. I think the majority of them tolerate it or don't care for it. Yes, there are those who just love winter, but I think they are in the minority.

I lived in Iowa my whole life up until a month ago and I can seriously only think of TWO people that I know that truly love winter, a bunch that hate it, and the rest just deal with it because that it where they live.

But you somehow completely missed the majority IMO....like me and that is , we simply except it as part of living in the upper midwest. It is what it is. Pls don't take our small talk about the lousy weather as an indication that we "hate it". The majority simply excepts it, we're not "the rest". I wouldn't say a bunch "hate it".

That said, when I retire, I'll go south for the winter and come home to Iowa during the non-winter months. Doesn't mean I hate winter, just that God willing if I have the means, I'd prefer warm weather climate in retirement.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by capitalcityguy

But you somehow completely missed the majority IMO....like me and that is , we simply except it as part of living in the upper midwest. It is what it is. Pls don't take our small talk about the lousy weather as an indication that we "hate it". The majority simply excepts it, we're not "the rest". I wouldn't say a bunch "hate it".

You are what I was referring to when I said "tolerate it." It is part of living in the midwest for many.

[Chelito23]

Let me put it this way, people in the Upper Midwest look forward to a white xmas....winter recereation, having the heat on, being budled up, the snow fall....they are out shoveling...it brings people together and makes them a tough bunch for sure. Of course, there are people that dislike it, but not the majority from what I have experienced. Now, when you get to areas in the lower Midwest, East Coast, South, etc where there is a constant freeze and thaw cycle, where their winters usually bring ice and mixed precipitation...it's a different attitude. But it the frozen far north, since winter is so intense, people really don't have a choice of hating it since it is so extreme and prolonged. I think people enjoy and as they get older they take winter vacations for a break or if they really dislike it, they move away.