“Out” means going somewhere or doing something—not just jumping outside for a second and then back in. Bundled up and bracing it.

Today in the Midwest, places like Minnesota and Iowa, there are temperatures colder than Antarctica. That’s pretty stunning.

I’ve been out in -7 degrees of actual temperature—i.e., not adjusted for wind chill, which makes it feel colder. That was probably in Iowa, where I spent three years. I think windy Chicago was probably the coldest place I’ve ever been, though (meaning coldest while I was there; I’ve been to Canada many times, but never in deepest winter).

Where I live now, it’s remarkable if it gets down into the thirties.

I’m wondering if the polar vortex this year is going to drive a lot of people to regions like mine, the not-too-hot-not-too-cold zones away from the extremes.

But we do have our earthquakes, fires, and floods. So—pick your calamities.

Topics: weather, cold, winter, Arctic, frigid temperatures, Antarctic, below zero