In a winter that started out with no snow and record highs, everything seems to be back to normal
By Eric Oslund
The winter of 2011-2012 has been an odd one, especially for citizens of Bemidji Minnesota, who are used to freezing temperatures. “It was definitely a very warm start to winter,” said Bemidji State University professor Lisa Graefa. “However, I am glad all is back to normal.”
With temperatures reaching into the high fifties and spiking into the 50’s for weeks at a time citizens of Bemidji were experiencing spring like weather in January. “I was very disappointed to come up to such warm weather after break,” said BSU sophomore Tyler Smith. “I was really looking forward to being able to play hockey, but the ice was really bad due to the warm weather.” Along with ice hockey other winter activities such as ice fishing, skiing and snowmobiling had to be put on hold.
Starting in the Middle of January things started to get back to normal. Temperatures reached single and negative digits for extended periods of time and snow fell for multiple days at a time. “For a while, when it got cold, I was afraid our septic systems were going to freeze and break,” said Graefe. “But luckily the snow fell, which helps keep the pipes insulated.”
With winter finally arriving in northern Minnesota everything seems, as it should be. There are icehouses scattered across lake Bemidji, ice rinks full of skaters, and people everywhere enjoying the winter weather.
