Nose for News, By Sarah Stultz

As I sit and type this column, the wind is howling and the temperatures have dropped.

Just in case you thought you were living somewhere other than Minnesota for the last few weeks, guess again. We’re still in Minnesota, folks.

You’d think after living in this state for over a decade that the harsh slap of reality that comes at the beginning of each winter would be commonplace by now. But each year, it hits me just as hard.

Our area broke the record high temperature Monday of 57 with a new record temperature of 63.

The temperature dropped little by little Monday evening until the temperature as I type this had dipped into the 20s. We were in a wind advisory with gusts of up to 45 mph possible and about 1 to 3 inches of snow was expected.

We’ll see how it all turned out by the time I wake up.

I’m one of those people who isn’t too attached to the snow and could go either way at this time of year. Yes, Christmas is nice with a little snow, but at the same time can it just stick to two or three inches?

In our next issue of Albert Lea Magazine, Linda Evenson, librarian of Albert Lea Magazine looks at some of the big snow events of the past in Albert Lea.

I should be grateful I’m living here now when there appears to be much less snow than there was at that time.

Without giving it all away, Linda talks of a snowstorm in February 1909 that caused trains to be delayed and caused snowdrifts seven to eight feet high on Broadway. I’ve seen some pretty decent snowdrifts in my time here so far, but none that high — and not on Broadway.

Needless to say, it appeared there are still some of the same snow removal concerns now that existed at that time. What’s the best way to remove the snow downtown and in all the city streets? Let the debate commence.

As this winter begins to unfold, I have to remind myself it’s not too bad to deal with as long as I’m prepared.

Cold weather and snow is no fun if you don’t have the proper attire to handle it. If I’ve learned anything in my time in this state, it is that people can handle any type of weather here as long as they have the right type of clothing for it.

Cheer up, hopefully by the time you all are reading this column, the sun will be back out for a few days, though low temperatures may be here to stay for the week.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.