To snowplow drivers.

Good snowplow work is something motorists tend to not notice when it is done well. However, people sure will moan and complain when it is not right. We have to say that this year especially the roads have been plowed, sanded and salted remarkably well by the city, county and state snowplow drivers in Albert Lea.

Sure, this winter hasn’t been as severe as last winter, but last winter was an anomaly in terms of severity and not worth comparison to typical Minnesota winters. On the whole, we have to say we have experienced good surfaces and well-kept slowing-down areas and junctions. When one considers the work of snowplow drivers, they sure do save a lot of fender benders and probably a few injuries — maybe even some lives. Be sure to thank a snowplow driver the next time you meet one. Just make sure you don’t meet one by crashing a car into one of their big trucks. Give them their space.

 

To American weather models.

Every winter we hear the same thing. The Europeans have a superior weather model for forecasting future events compared to us tightwad Americans. Meteorologists say both models do a good job of figuring out the next day or two, but the European model is more accurate with the long-term stuff.

A major example cited was in 2012, when the European model predicted as far as a week in advance that Hurricane Sandy would turn toward shore while the American model didn’t figure it out until days before landfall.

So it gets tiring hearing all this as winter storms slam into Minnesota. Each winter the Europeans can predict whether January will be mild or harsh while Americans get surprised by Alberta clippers.

When will the United States switch? Well, it costs a pretty penny — something like $45 million ­— for the new supercomputers and related upgrades. According to media reports, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is on track to upgrade its global-forecasting computers this fall. We look forward to better long-term predictions, especially for the sake of local farmers.

One thing is for sure: The arms race over whether the American or Europeans are better for weather will stick around. Actually, it’s become quite a fun rivalry.

 

To Target pulling out of Austin.

Many people in the region from Austin to Albert Lea were among the 80 employees at the Target store in Austin. Despite volunteers sending economic data about the growth Austin is experiencing, they were unable to persuade Target executives to change their mind about closing the location next month. We salute their efforts, and we are saddened to see the Minnesota-based discount retailer leave our neighbor city. The downtowns of Austin and Albert Lea are separated by a mere 22 miles, and the economies are intertwined. A goodbye ceremony is in the works.