Moving from winter to spring…a bumpy ride
Minnesotans are now starting to realize the effects of an average winter linger well into spring. Sure the fun in the snow, ice fishing and walks in the pristine loveliness of a winter landscape create moments of seasonal memories. But now that we are approaching the start of the baseball season, many believe it is time to move on.
Before we can embrace the rebirth of nature, we have to travel the road of melting snow, thawing soils and eroding ice cover. Even the road less traveled is showing the upheaval of ice and frost.
The cycle of daytime melting and overnight refreeze is ideal for running maple syrup. It is equally basic to the formation of sizeable pot holes. Melting snow pools into these holes and often camouflages the depth, before driver's hands are shaken free of the steering wheel.
Just this past Sunday a good friend was returning from an Easter visit with family in southwest Minnesota. About 20 miles from home on highway 212 they were unable to avoid a formidable pot hole. A direct hit dinged the rim and deflated the tire.
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Replacing a rim and reinstalling the tire carried a cost of around $150, which was priced with a used rim. The line at the salvage lot on Monday morning was five customers deep waiting to purchase a replacement rim.
The weather team is keeping tabs on yet another snow event. This one is similar to most of the snow storms this year, taking a track that favors southern Minnesota and southern Wisconsin. Before the week is done, Madison will add to their already record total of more than 100 inches. Milwaukee is closing in on a seasonal snowfall record as well.
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