Minnesotans Carry Out Traditions Despite Thanksgiving Cold
ROSEVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) – It is the coldest Thanksgiving in nearly 30 years, but that doesn't stop Minnesotans from enjoying their Thanksgiving traditions.
A group of high school friends spent the morning at Roseville Area High School playing football, a tradition a decade in the making.
"In high school we just decided one Thanksgiving morning," BJ Letourneau said. "We're all back in town, so we'll just go hang out back at the field."
"It's fun, it's worth it," Chris Merriam said. "Stick it out through the cold."
"This is the coldest one we've had yet," Letourneau said.
Thursday morning's subzero temperatures mark the tenth Thanksgiving morning below zero in 141 years.
This year could tie for the coldest Thanksgiving since 1985, when Minneapolis hit a high of 11°F and a low of -8°F.
The coldest Thanksgiving high temperature on record occurred on Nov. 28, 1872 with a high of -1°F and a low of -13°F.
But cold temperatures can't freeze out tradition.
"I just flew back from Michigan just to play in this game," Merriam said. "So that should tell you right there."
Well, at least for most people. The group wasted no time calling out the person who decided it was a little too cold.
"Kyle Maloney," Letourneau said. "He's sleeping right now."
"I wanted to sleep in, I'm not going to lie, but when it came down to it you had to be here," Merriam said. "Compared to Kyle Maloney who slept in."
The average high for Thanksgiving is just above freezing with a low in the high teens or twenties.