Weather News

Putting Saturday's Weather Into Perspective

(WCCO) There's a saying that April showers bring May flowers, but places across the state saw a wide range of snowfall Saturday, on the final weekend of April.

To give you some perspective, on the same day last year, it was 85 and sunny.

Minnesotans may be tough, but all the snow is proving to be too much. Even for the heartiest of hearts like Suzanne Frambers, who drove down from Leech Lake.

"Well we had 25 inches the first of April, another 10 inches a week later and now I've heard we've have six to twelve inches. So e're happy we're down here this weekend," said Frambers.

This is where it helps to have perspective.

The Twin Cities had pretty light snow with little accumulation, but that changed dramatically the farther north you go.

Brainerd was smacked by winter. At a time when most snow plows are parked for the season, they were out in full force.

Outside Fargo, near white-out conditions caused some to lose sight of the road, forcing Interstate 94 to close for seven hours between Moorhead and Alexandria.

All this is enough to make you forget we're supposed to be "springing ahead."

But even in a season that seems filled with obstacles, you can find a bright spot.

"I refuse to wear long pants after April 1st," said one shorts-wearing resident.

Yes, say what you will about the weather, but Minnesotans are a hearty bunch of people.

"I have a down coat in the car, I have a leather jacket, I have a rain jacket," said Frambers.

This is one year where it pays to be prepared for just about anything.

All the hotels were full in Fergus Falls on Saturday, so stranded travelers were sent to the Salvation Army.

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