Community Corner

VIDEO: How to Have Fun with This Week's Cold Weather

How can you freeze boiling water in an instant?

Monday night, there weren't many creatures stirring as the mercury dipped well below zero.

The rest of the week doesn't look too promising either. Oakdale is expected to see a high near 0 and a low near -4 tonight. On Wednesday the city should see a high of 10 degrees and a low of -11. There is a 20 percent chance of snow on Thursday with a night near 10 and a low near 5 degrees. Friday will see a high near 12 and a low near -7, according to the National Weather Service

So, Twin Cities Patch Associate Regional Editor Mike Schoemer did an experiment.

Find out what's happening in Oakdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Schoemer, a South Dakota native, attended college in icy Moorhead, MN and was inspired by a meteorologist (and friend) there to conduct an experiment with some very cold air (provided by Mother Nature) and a steaming cup of water (provided by Keurig).

And the experiment was a success.

Find out what's happening in Oakdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Temperatures last night in Albertville — where Schoemer conducted the experiment — hit about 13 degrees below zero. With more than 10 mph winds, the wind chill was more than 30 below.

Hot water, when launched into bitterly cold and dry air, will freeze and evaporate, creating a fine, crystalized mist that appears to be much like snow.

The result is a "snow cloud," and one exciting, if not bone-chilling, video.

Southwest Minneapolis Patch Editor James Sanna conducted his own experiment comparing a cup of boiling water versus a cup of room-temperature water. 

Is there a difference? Click on the second video above to find out. 

 

Have you conducted your own experiments with the cold weather? Post a video or photos above! 

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