What weather to expect in February? (Nicollet: credit card, university, live)

[Melissa78703]

Hello, Minnesotans. I'll be traveling to your fair city in February. It'll be my first time outside of the airport.

Some questions. What can I expect in terms of weather? Snow? Ice? I lived in Alaska for a while, so I know what extreme cold is like. Should I just pack my Alaska gear, or is this going overboard? I have limited packing space. I'm also coming from Texas, where it will no doubt me very, VERY mild.

Thanks in advance - can hardly wait!

P.S. I'll be in the University area. Food recs? Where's a good place to eat, get tea, coffee, etc.?

[Haver]

It can be anything from 10 below to just peeking above freezing, with chances for heavy snow throughout. We normally get 2 or 3 stretches of subzero weather lasting a week or more during the winter, and January 20th is the statistical bottom point temp wise. If you're going to be spending most of your time outside car commuting in the metro you can ditch the heavy parka and snow boots in favor of something along the lines of a ski jacket with a nylon shell, and just dress in layers, keeping hotshots in your pocket for when they're needed. Have a cell phone - Verizon has the best coverage - and a major credit card for emergencies. If there is a storm people don't know how to drive, but the roads will be plowed and cleared within 24 hours. Rural travel - take the usual precautions - you know the drill being from Alaska. I'm getting by with just a heavy sweat jacket and gloves and walking shoes, but I've got the cold weather genes in spades...


Someone else will have to cover the eats, U of M isn't my normal area. Warehouse district has trendy, 26th & Nicollet has good ethnic.

[golfgal]

You are just going to have to keep your eye on the weather before you go. I have seen -50° and 65° in Feb. I have golfed in shorts in MN in Feb and well, the -50° stuff isn't fun.

[d.dolan]

Go the the online weather almanac. That should give you a rough idea, but this is MN, so truly, anything can happen. I remember playing outside at a park, with no coat or anything, for one of my childhood birthday parties, and the next year I was really sad because we had to cancel it due to a blizzard! =) lol

[MplsDbc]

Freezing!

As for foods, check out Al's Diner for breakfast in Dinkytown, The Purple Onion for lunch and coffee/tea, Loring Pasta Bar for lunch or dinner (and Salsa night on the weekends!). If you want "good" Indian, Asian, Steakhouse, etc, you'd be better off just taking a cab downtown and walking along Nicollet Mall, tons of restaurants to choose from there, enjoy.