It never fails. The first time the thermometer hovers near 50, we Wisconsinites go a little nuts. There’s still snow on the ground in much of the state, but that one warm day is like the beacon we needed. There may be some cold and snow yet to come, but Spring is officially something we can believe in instead of a mythical idea that exists somewhere on the other side of five or so very cold, very snowy, very long months. Honestly, it’ll probably still snow in May, but we don’t even care. The lone warm day in late February or early March is honestly really just a giant tease, but we’ll take it. We’re longing for the sun and to get outside without having to spend 20 minutes putting on layers of clothes before we do. That first sign of Spring and we’re ready to pack away the long underwear, put the shovel in the garage and never wear boots again. It’s a false hope, of course, but right now, it’s all we’ve got.
1. Drives with the windows down.
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There's just something about the air through your hair and that freeing feeling of turning the music up and putting the windows down. Sure, I had the heat on at the same time and was wearing gloves, but the fresh air felt amazing and my dog was really happy.
In the Southern part of the state, our snow was all gone, so this was more likely than up where there was still plenty of slop that a biker wouldn't want to deal with. But there was the purr of plenty of motors this week.
Many folks don't let a little snow or freezing temperature stop them from grilling out, but for many, that first warm day is a beacon to the favorite cooking implement of Wisconsinites everywhere.
I absolutely hate a winter coat because while I need it outside, I'm warm and overdressed the second I step in anywhere. Running errands in winter is awful in all those layers. So the first thing that goes the second the weather warms up is my big coat.
Again, you'll probably totally need them again, but there's just something uplifting and symbolic about it. The ice scraper moves back to the trunk, the small closet's worth of clothes you keep in there just in case moves back inside. You're ready for summer!
By this time of year, all our houses need a good airing out and cracking that seal feels like the first time you've breathed fresh air in a year and a half.
Plenty of Wisconsinites hike and explore the state during the winter months, but for a lot of us, it's a bit like hibernation. That first warm day is time to put the dog on a leash and get out and remember what the world looks like beyond our car windows.
I wouldn't say we "miss" snow when it's mid-July, but we don't actually hate it as much as we let on. We're just kind of fed up with it by the time March gets here. But as the weather starts to warm, we definitely take a moment to enjoy that last bit of winter.
