There are some br-r-right sides to low temperatures

February 8, 2016 at 10:10PM

John Inman from Morris, Minn., sent me a note. "It was so cold my teeth were chattering … and they were still in the glass!" Thank you for keeping a sense of humor, John. Yes, when it's this cold the crime rate drops, and your garbage doesn't stink. There are other benefits.

Winter tends to bring cleaner air with less smog; good news for asthma sufferers. Better sleeping weather, less inflammation, better decision-making capabilities, calories get burned away faster and more time bonding with loved ones. Oh, and no bugs — and no whining about the humidity!

This may wind up being the second-coldest week of winter, a winter that should still wind up milder than average, overall. Highs hold in the teens and single digits; the best chance of feeling a mildly euphoric subzero burn early Wednesday, again Saturday morning. Not record-setting. Not school-closing. Just classic Minnesota Cold. As early as Sunday, 20s may return with 30s next week.

Spring is coming, and odds are it'll be milder than average. Any day now.

about the writer

about the writer

More from Minnesota Star Tribune

See More
card image
Provided/Sahan Journal

Family members and a lawyer say they have been blocked from access to the bedside of Bonfilia Sanchez Dominguez, while her husband was detained and shipped to Texas within 24 hours.

card image