The winter of 2023-24 has already been exceptional, and it might prove to be historic.

The Marshall area has had only small traces of snow as of Friday. It’s the first time I remember that we’ve had no measurable snow even though we’re past the first of the year.

It also hasn’t been cold. Very seldom have the lows fallen below 10 degrees. Before Christmas the highs were mainly in the 30s and 40s.

It’s been almost like wintering in Texas or somewhere in the South or Southwest. My sump pumps and my neighbors’ pumps ran when we had several inches of rain on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which means water was soaking into the ground.

It almost seemed like it was possible to grow winter wheat in Minnesota. The January temperatures with highs mostly in the 20s have been too cold for it.

We aren’t used to cold this year, so our average January seems cold. Even so, however, we’re within several weeks of the point where if we’re fortunate we’ll see a warming trend.

You can tell from what I’ve said that I’m not a big fan of winter. Sometimes in harsh winters I’ve given thought to someday becoming a snowbird. I don’t think I’d want to be away from Marshall for very long, but a month after Christmas would be enough to take the edge off.

Over the years my feelings about winter have probably been typical of many Minnesotans. I loved snow as a child.

Our backyard on Marguerite Avenue had a hill. I’d build a fort at the top of it and have tobaggon trails going down to the back fence.

I enjoyed outdoor ice rinks. I especially remember the old warming house at Legion Field. I was a teenager when they built “The Bubble” at the fairgrounds. It was followed by the Ice Arena and after the millennium by the Red Baron Arena.

My parents also introduced my sister and I to cross country skiing. There were three places in the neighborhood that were good for it; Freedom Park, the boulevard between Camden Drive and Country Club Drive, and a neighborhood park that was accessible from home through an easement.

Lastly I loved snow days. It meant staying home and having fun since there was no online learning back then. I usually spent a couple of hours out in the snow.

Now my feelings are different. I don’t like walking on ice. There’s a fear of falling. It’s a far cry from the days when I’d love to slide on the ice.

I have to shovel very slowly or find someone to help. I don’t have a snowblower because of costs, because I don’t have room in the garage for it and because it would be a potential maintenance issue.

I’m very fortunate to have great neighbors near Holy Redeemer School and First Lutheran Church. They’ve sometimes cleared my driveway without me asking and offering to buy a gift card.

Another thing I don’t care for about winter is weather postponements. When I have plans I like to be able to follow through on them. It’s hard to think in terms of maybe not being able to get somewhere.

I do feel sorry for the kids and adults who like winter in 2024. At least they’ve been able to ride bicycles and go to parks. I enjoyed a picnic at Camden State Park on Dec. 23. I do understand, however, how they might feel like they’re missing out.

I also feel sorry for some of the businesses who plan their inventory based on the idea that southwest Minnesota will have a winter season.

It’s hard to sell snowmobiles when there’s no snow. It’s hard to sell ice fishing equipment when there’s no thick ice. No one ever needs a new shovel, an ice chipper or ice melt.

We have to remember that winter isn’t over yet. There’s always the possibility that the weather could take a turn for the worse, or for the better for those who like snow. It’s always nice to see the seasons change, to feed birds in the backyard in the winter and then go through the phases of spring, summer and fall.

I think I’d miss the four seasons if I lived somewhere that doesn’t have them. Every part of the year has something to like. In a harsher winter there are always warm sweaters. There’s always hot coffee. There are plenty of good books and magazines. We’ll survive if the weather gets worse.

— Jim Muchlinski is a longtime reporter and contributor to the Marshall Independent