Twins weather won't be perfect -- deal with it

It's on days like Tuesday -- a little more than two weeks from the Twins' home opener we are in the midst of rain that was forecast to turn to snow -- that folks start to (irrationally) get worried about the weather at Year Two at Target Field.

Consider this, then, a pre-emptive strike consisting of an admittedly mixed bag of thoughts that don't necessarily seem to follow one another.

• The weather this year at Target Field can't possibly be nicer than it was last year. The Twins might never have it that good again, with the combination of an unseasonably warm April, plenty of sunshine in the summer and rain that always seemed to fall at convenient times (right after games or when the Twins were on the road). It was a charmed year, and a great time for it.

• However: It almost certainly will be nicer on April 8, when the Twins have their home opener, than it was Tuesday. The average high temperature jumps 10 degrees (from 43 to 53) between now and then.

• But: Even if we're just in for an average spring, there likely will be more games where you need a jacket (and/or blanket, and/or a rain poncho) than last year. And when those days come, we are going to hear it from the roof folks, saying, "I told you so." They were largely kept at bay last year, which might have been Target Field's greatest overall achievement.

• When those roof folks try to talk to you, feel free to have this comeback handy. We use it frequently: We'll still gladly take a handful of chilly games and four to six rainouts or delays every season over 81 games tainted by an unsightly retractable roof (looking at you, Milwaukee, and your Miller Park monstrosity).

• Overall, though: Brace yourselves. Remember that last year was pretty close to perfect, and we can't have that every year. And remember the prevailing Minnesota mind-set: It's the bad days that make the good days even better.

MICHAEL RAND