White stuff

Today dawned frigid here in the Twin Cities, with about a half-inch of snow covering cars and grassy areas. It's just 38 right now, with a stiff breeze. About 200 miles away, in Park Rapids, it's only 29 at the moment. Today's statewide low of 17 (17 on Oct. 10!) was recorded in Granite Falls and Benson, both about 120 miles away from here. We're so far north and west here (South Dakota's only four hours away) that the cold air seeping down from Western Canada, along the Rockies and south into the Great Plains meanders over here, too. The leaves are still green on most trees and we have odd sights like healthy hastas covered in the white stuff.