Snow in Siouxland, Sioux City

A squirrel pauses while eating at a backyard feeder in a home in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday Oct. 25, 2020 as local weather prognosticators said could expect anywhere from 2 inches up to 7 inches depending on location. Early, even by Iowa standards. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Winter has arrived early in Siouxland. Even though officially it’s a couple months away. The 4-5 inches of snow that fell clearly refutes anyone’s attempt that it’s not here.

Farmers in Iowa and neighboring states are still harvesting their crops. Halloween for some will be cold in addition to the already stressful thought of safely Trick or Treating during a pandemic. The cold and snow is just a reminder or foreshadowing of what’s to come and if it will make this winter’s season feel longer than normal.

I’m always hopeful for maybe a few more fall days, with temperatures in the 50’s and overnight lows no colder than the 30’s.

Hope springs eternal. But at this point, spring seems a far, far distant point on the horizon.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Two house sparrows eat a meal at a backyard feeder in a home in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday Oct. 25, 2020 as local weather prognosticators said people could expect anywhere from 2 inches up to 7 inches depending on location. Early, even by Iowa standards. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Spring still eludes Siouxland, Sioux City

It seems the spring season is still eluding the Siouxland area. Last week there were a couple days Sioux City and the surrounding areas hit the 80’s. It’s like we’re zipping past spring and right into summer. A little warm for my taste this early, but the sun felt nice and my plants enjoyed a burst of growth. Then the cold weather comes back, rain, sleet, some snow flakes and it makes one wonder will spring arrive or bypass Siouxland this year.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa