Almost All Minnesota Schools Are Shut Down for Three Days

[MineralMan]

That's an indication of how seriously government officials are taking this polar plunge thing. They closed them today, because wind chills will be very low this afternoon. This morning, it wasn't so bad. I went out to blow the snowplow berm off the end of my driveway about 10 AM. It was cold, but not deadly cold. I just came back in from taking my trash bags out to the wheelie bin. It's colder now, and the temps are dropping steadily. I'll bundle up and wheel the bin to the curb shortly.

Tonight, tomorrow, and tomorrow night are going to be ugly. So schools are canceled for Wednesday and Thursday as well. Then, things warm up a bit on Friday, and jump back up into the upper 30s on Saturday. I assume trash pickup will happen as normal tomorrow. The snow plows came by at about 9 AM today to clear the street, so we can go out in the car now with no problem.

But it's damned cold out there. I'm not going out unless necessity forces me to. The dogs aren't going to be going for their walk this afternoon, either.

[BigmanPigman]

1. How cold is it? And with wind chill?

[MineralMan]

3. Tomorrow morning, it's supposed to be -28 F. Wind chill at -50 or below.

High tomorrow will be about -15 F, with wind chill at -40 or lower. No kids will have to wait for the bus. Thursday morning looks like about the same.

Of course, if there is less wind, it will be less punishing. That's the variable, but it doesn't take much wind to drive temps into the danger zone at that air temperature.

I went out this morning to get the paper from the end of the driveway without my parka. I won't be doing that tomorrow, though. I could, but if I somehow slipped and fell, I'd be out there too long.

[BigmanPigman]

9. My fingers would have turned blue.

That is what would happen to me in the winters. Brrrrr

[Bettie]

2. Most Iowa schools are

closed until at least Wednesday.

Ours is.

My two teenage sons (and the 10 year old) are trapped inside...there is, um, strife.

[MineralMan]

4. Poor kids. They'll probably find something to do.

Probably sleep.

[Buckeyeblue]

5. Michigan too. Closed tomorrow and Thursday.

[murielm99]

6. Most Northern Illinois schools

are closed through Wednesday.

[MineralMan]

7. Smart move, I think.

It messes with parents' work schedules, I know. But for the children's safety, I think it's better if they close the schools.

My wife, who grew up in Minnesota said that they never, ever had a school closure due to cold, just heavy snow. She described going to elementary school all bundled up with a scarf over her face and snow pants under her skirt. Then, they'd get to school and have to shed all that stuff, only to put it back on before going home.

These days, though, the schools tend to close to prevent risks a lot more often.

[murielm99]

8. I don't remember any school closings here

when I was a kid. We had some pretty serious winters, too.

I have been upset with our superintendent over the last few days. He is not terribly attuned to parents' needs as it is. He was one of the last to announce the school closings. Working parents need time to plan. That is how I felt when my kids were in school. He was always nice to me, though. I stepped in to teach a semester at the last minute when the regular teacher was too ill to continue. Later, he wanted to keep me as a sub.

It is interesting the way our local dentist handles things. If the schools are closed, the dental practice is closed. I think both dentists there know they could not run things if the women who work there have to be absent for the day. And, it is considerate to think about their families.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

10. remember to wear plenty of Global Waming

I've heard that stuff helps a lot.

[Ace Rothstein]

11. My kids haven't had school since Friday, about an hour south of Chicago.

They aren't scheduled to go back until this coming Friday now with all of the closures.

[MineralMan]

12. It's a tough week, for sure.

[Ace Rothstein]

16. I'm definitely ready for spring break.

[Demsrule86]

13. Here in Ohio most if not all of our schools are shut down. Also Youngstown State University is

shut down...think Kent State is too.

[malaise]

14. Stay safe DUers

[FakeNoose]

15. Wow! Probably a smart move by the school districts

Not good for farm animals either, some will probably freeze to death. B-rr-rr-rr.
Stay safe in Minnesota and all over the Midwest!