You Know It’s Been A Cold Winter When…

Okay, Mother Nature, you win. We're all just about up to HERE with the extreme cold you've been dealing us so far this winter.

First was the stat, courtesy of the National Weather Service, that we've had over 40 below-zero days since December 1st, and that this has been the 9th coldest winter ever recorded in Rochester.

Then came news that the frost depth is getting deep enough that it's causing some area water pipes to freeze (RPU still says to run a steady stream of water if your cold water temperature drops to below 40 degrees).

And, now? It's been sooo cold that... the Great Lakes have nearly frozen over!

According to an ABC News story, the last time they came this close was in 1994, when 94 percent of the lakes' surface was frozen.

As of Thursday, ice cover extended across 88 percent, according to the federal government's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor.

That's a lot of ice. And a lot of cold. But it will make for a great story years from now. "You think THIS is cold? THIS is nothing. I remember the winter of 2014-- now THAT was cold!" you can say-- and anyone who's lived through it will no doubt agree with you.