Weather or not

Yesterday the temperature in Urbandale was over 60 degrees. The sun was shining, the ice was breaking up, the snow was melting, and water was running down the gutters and streets. Could it be that spring had finally arrived?

Uh, no. This is Iowa.

This morning I woke up to the sound of beep-beep-beep. It sounded suspiciously like the city snow plow backing up. I looked outside to see fresh fallen snow. So I bundled up and went out to find 5-6 inches of heavy snow and a temperature of less than 20 degrees. This snow was too heavy to shovel, so it was out with the snowblower to clear the drive and sidewalks.

From the Des Moines register ten days ago (that is, before our last two snow storms!):

Iowa has received an average of 36.7 inches of snow this winter. That's a foot more than what is normal for this time of year and 4 inches more than the state usually receives for the entire winter season, which begins in November and ends - well, when it ends. This month, Iowa has received an average of 13.2 inches of snow. Normal: 6.3 inches. It's the highest February total since 1994 and the most for any month since December 2000, said Harry Hillaker, the state climatologist.

Two weeks ago I realized that winter had gone on far too long when I broke the handle on my ice scraper trying to clear the sidewalk at church. I give! Uncle! Bring on the warm weather!