Travelers To Minnesota Feel The Slap Of Freezing Temps

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- There's a reason tourists don't really flock to Minnesota in December.

"Yeah, it's cold," said Robert Singletary who just arrived on a flight from Orlando.

This time of year, though, there are business appointments and family obligations that can't be avoided.

Bob and Verlaine Kolb had been watching the weather reports before their visit from Florida to visit their son, daughter and granddaughter.

"Yes, sir, we have," said Bob, "and we came up here even despite that."

"We had a good reason to come back," said Verlaine. "That darling little 5-year-old."

At the time, the temperature in the Twin Cities was in the single digits.

"Well, it's a little different from 75, 80 and sunny in Orlando," said Mike O'Connor of Minnetonka Beach, walking outside in his shorts.

Most said they've tried to plan for the cold.

"Yeah, I'm going to stop and get some ear muffs," said Singletary.

"But here's the good news," said David Humphrey of Seattle. "I'm heading to Miami. I'll be there Sunday and Monday and Tuesday. And I'm sure it'll be 80 degrees."

Meanwhile, we actually found one person who was excited about the cold.

Tom Franssen is a native Minnesotan, now living in Houston.

"Ah this is great," he said. "I love it, to get out of the humidity."