The snow has arrived as of Wednesday morning, dumping a load of the total forecasted two day 7 inch amount.
Minnesota may be known for cold more than snow, but we get our fair share of the white stuff. (Randomly: January, December & March are Minnesota’s top 3 snowiest months!). Add in our diverse landscapes and it makes for a wonderful winter wonderland.
How diverse are our landscapes? Well there are 4 provinces – units of land defined using major climate zones and native vegetation – across the state of Minnesota!
Arrive from the east you’ll be met with the Eastern Broadleaf Forest that spreads narrowly across the state wedged between two other zones. This province is a transition, or ecotone, between semi-arid prairie and semi-humid conifer forests to the northeast. Most of the landscape features broadleaf trees (the type that drop their leaves). Farmland is also abundant, though many stands of trees & woods are still prominent. You’ll find us in this province!
North of the Eastern Broadleaf Forest and a big chunk of the state is the Laurentian Mixed Forest. It spans from east to more than halfway across the state and heavily into the north. This area is characterized by broad areas of conifer forest, mixed forests of hardwood & conifer along with conifer bogs and swamps.
Heading west and south from the Eastern Broadleaf Forest you’ll land in the Prairie Parkland. This area of the state is dominated by tallgrass prairie. Ample grasslands as far & wide as the eye can see. These grasslands are an extension of the Great Plains.
Heading north from the Prairie Parkland lands you in a wee wedge called the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands. This province forms the ecotone between semi-arid landscapes covered by prairie and semi-humid mixed conifer deciduous forests. This area is cold and dry, giving rise to prairie grass and fire-dependent woodland communities. You’ll most likely find those notoriously cold extreme Minnesota temps here (-40°F to -45°F), though winter temps of -20°F to -30°F are not uncommon throughout the winter.
And those temps are without windchill!!! BRRRRRRR!
Luckily, Wednesday and its blanket of snow arrived on temps of mid 30s. Perfect outdoors in the winter temperature!
Blue has seen snow before and is… vaguely enthused. He likes to eat the snow / catch snowballs, sniff and sometimes dig in the snow but doesn’t like cold toes or sitting in the snow. The snow doesn’t prompt zoomies nor excitement to play in for Blue. The mountain part of his breed (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog) seems to be missing haha! Though this is his first winter and it may take an adjustment to get him to a proper snow loving dog!
Mostly his main goal… find sticks to eat.
And he’s nearly 6 months (on December 27th!) and has heard ALL of the attention capturing noises I make and finds them less than curious than everything else in the yard haha!
Or… he’s a tween. Not quite the bitey puppy, not quite the teenager testing the world. Posing for pictures, lame! There are more exciting things to see & smell mom!
All the pretty snow on the fences and trees was gone by the evening due to the mid 30s temps. No worries, cue MORE snow on Thursday! Blue and I didn’t do any pictures Thursday, but he was “helpful” in shoveling the snow haha!
We’re in a blog ring of dog & pet photographers from around the world! Next up get your dog ready for a day of fun in the snow with these 3 tips from Nicole of Pawtraits by Nicole!
That fence with the snow dusting is magical, hold sessions right in your own backyard this winter! Blue looks like he’s having the time of his life – he’s been waiting for this day!
These are amazing, Cahlean! What a stunning winter wonderland! I’m jealous – still waiting for snow in northeastern MA. ENJOY!
Blue has certainly grown, and presents great contrast against the snow!
Perfect amount of snowfall. She looked curious!