Re: Minnesota regional!
 

Patrick,
Minnesota is one of those places where you don't want to listen to the locals talk about the weather. You are from Florida so it will be cold. Don't plan on walking a long distance after dark in your team tshirt, you'll turn into a popsicle. It is common practice for Minnesotans to wear shorts and sandals whenever the sun shines and it is above 45 degrees in late March or April. If someone tells you it's a little chilly, take your parka. In Minnesota, Girl Scouts stop selling cookies outside the Walmart when the temp gets below -20F (and start selling hot chocolate).
Temperature aside, be prepared for a great regional. Minnesota teams know how to throw a party. If you look at the team list and think you are going to have it easy with the large number of rookies, you are in for a big surprise. First year teams are immersed in First before their first regional. They build quality robots and great teams. Watch out for my personal favorite the Robettes, they were awesome last year and one of the most exuberant teams I have ever worked with. Mendotta Heights is just south of Minneapolis. If you are flying, you will likely pass right over it on final approach just before you cross the river.

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

Al is right, at 50F we put on shorts and talk about how nice and warm the weather is. If you're from Florida, you know people put on parkas as soon as some one says the low temperature will approach 50F. We've had snow storms that dump a foot of snow on April 16.

There is a video going around the Internet called UFFDAMINNESOTA that shows Minnesotans out playing in the snow. It's pretty much true. Two weeks ago I was at a sled dog race and the temperature at the start of the race was -24F, just a little chilly for Minnesotans. BTW, It was -8F this morning when I left for work. Expect the ground to still be frozen during the regionals.

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

Yes, but it is a dry cold!

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

LOL

At -8F it's always a dry cold.

But in April it's usually damp from the snow melt.

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

He is not kidding we spent close to 15 minutes de-icing the front window of my van (granted it is bigger than most cars) but still, it wasn't a fun experience.

Did that today, twas very comfortable.

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

So there will possibly be snow? I Love the snow and the cold, guess I live in the wrong place.

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

I guess you never know for sure...today its quite pleasent out...tommorow who knows...i would dress for the cold and then bring like mittens and stuff like that...snow is always a possibility. :)

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

Ahh! yay! I get to have more use out of my warm clothes now :)

It's such a waste when I use it for a week in Florida and then when I go up to Indiana.

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

haha ya for sure bring your warm clothes...today was like a heat wave...almost 60 degrees

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

How will it be inside the Arena? I doubt you heat it enough to satisfy us, but how is it?

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

It's usually sweltering in the Arena. So.. like 70?

-Vivek

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

It will be a nice warm 70ish in the arena. We have learned to deal with the cold, but that doesn't mean we like it.
It also cannot be said enough that the weather could be just about anything that time of year. watch the weather channel a few days in advance.

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

Everyone talking about the temperature inside the arena was at the Minnesota regional last year in Williams Arena (a basketball arena). Team 79 will be joining us in the Northstar Regional in Mariucci Arena which is a hockey arena.

The temperature should be comparable to other regionals in hockey arenas such as Milwaukee.

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

So, it's going to be cold like a hockey arena?

Re: Minnesota regional!
 

Nah, even during a hockey game it will get warm. Warm enough to be comfortable, I'm sure... even for people from Florida. :)