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I voted for Minneapolis, which is ironic since I've never had the pleasure of visiting! However, I don't think I could stand the brutal heat in Phoenix. During the day it's 115 and then it "cools down" to 95! No, thanks. Besides, Phoenix is so dry that everything is brown and parched (kind of like So-Cal is looking right now because we just had our driest winter on record!).
I probably shouldn't have voted, since I have no direct experience with really cold weather for months on end. I still think I'd rather deal with cold than heat, though...
Wow- I must've spent the coldest winter on record in MPL then. I worked there for several months at a stretch, and at no point in the winter did it reach above 10 degrees. I walked from the hotel to my work building through the rat maze downtown (aka skyways). Actually, the fact that there ARE skyways should give you a clue as to the harsh winters. When it was time to come home I got in my car in the enclosed parking and brought it back to the airport enclosed parking. It was just too way f'in cold there in the dead of winter for my liking.
Are you sure you were in Minneapolis? Several *days* in a row not reaching 10 degrees happens every few years, but certainly never months.
Phoenix for me. Minneapolis has far from great summers. Minneapolis routinely has annual heat waves in the 90's with extreme humidity making it feel as though it's around 110 degrees. Minneapolis winters are dangerously cold, the fact that the average low in Minneapolis is literally 2 degrees in January is not the comforting either.
I don't see how anyone can actually enjoy the climate of Minnesota, as it experiences volatile temperature swings in every season, with the exception of summer. The fact that it might be 65-70 degrees one day, and the next day there's an accumulation of snow on the ground, just proves that Phoenix has a more appealing climate.
At least in Phoenix during summer, you can be active in the early morning or late in the evening. Sure, it frequently doesn't get below 85 degrees at night in Phoenix, but with the low humidity that 85 often feels very relaxing. Plus, December and January in Phoenix, is comparable to early-mid May/early-mid September, without the variability the MSP often experiences during that time. Plus, you can't beat the arid climate Phoenix.
I would definitely choose Minneapolis over Phoenix in terms of weather. I do not mind the humidity at all, but can not stand very dry arid climates. I can not tolerate the heat either, and anything above 80F feels hot to me. Minneapolis also has a lot of winter activities to do even though mountains are not nearby. Ice fishing, snowmobiling, and skiing at nearby locations in the Minneapolis metro is not to bad. I do not mind the cold at all and it only bothers me if the temperature gets lower than -10F. Green landscapes appeal to me compared with ugly brown landscapes.
Minneapolis might have heat waves that last a week or more, true. But at least its not MONTHS of constant, deadly, arid heat.
This is true. Places in the upper Midwest like MPLS, Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis, etc., may have a week or so of hot, humid heat in the summer, but then a massive cold front will roll through and cool things for a long stretch. MPL's highest summertime average temp for a month is 83 degrees...downright cool, even with humidity factored in, to much of the country in the summer.
This is true. Places in the upper Midwest like MPLS, Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis, etc., may have a week or so of hot, humid heat in the summer, but then a massive cold front will roll through and cool things for a long stretch. MPL's highest summertime average temp for a month is 83 degrees...downright cool, even with humidity factored in, to much of the country in the summer.
Amen! Most people seem to think the midwest is hot and humid all summer long, like Florida or Louisiana or Arkansas, etc. Its not! Sure we have spells here and there, but nothing to write home about. I LOVE the midwestern summers, you get a nice mix of everything (hot and dry, hot and humid, cool and dry, cool and humid, etc)!
[quote=Steve-o;717551]Amen! Most people seem to think the midwest is hot and humid all summer long, like Florida or Louisiana or Arkansas, etc. Its not! Sure we have spells here and there, but nothing to write home about. I LOVE the midwestern summers, you get a nice mix of everything (hot and dry, hot and humid, cool and dry, cool and humid, etc)
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This was winter 94/95..................
Sure we have spells here and there, but nothing to write home about. I LOVE the midwestern summers, you get a nice mix of everything (hot and dry, hot and humid, cool and dry, cool and humid, etc)!
