I have never lived where it snowed (South-central Texas), and am moving up to Minnesota, where (I hear), it does snow.
So, anything that I should know other than “It’s cold,” “Bring a jacket,” “No, seriously. It’s cold,” and other useless things I already know?
If anyone moved from warm to cold and had a surprise you didn’t expect?
. . . or is it just cold.
I live in the major Canadian city just Northwest of Minniapolis. Let me tell that like Manitoba, Minnesota is a land of extremes. It gets fricking HOT in the summer and humid (all those damn lakes) and bloody cold in the winter. The old thermometer may say 85 but with the humidity it will feel like 95 - 100. It works the same in the winter with the windchill but goes the other way. When you are out shopping for a good winter coat make sure that it keeps the wind out
Layers. Long underwear, jeans, flannel shirt, jacket, coat, stocking cap. Definitely a hat that covers your ears. Shed as needed when you go inside.
Boots are wonderful. Not cowboy boots, the real kind. Heavy socks. Be prepared to change the socks a couple of times a day - wet socks are about useless.
On the first icy/snowy day, have a friend take you to a large, empty paved lot so you can experience spins and slides - and how to recover.
Obviously, a lot of this doesn’t apply just yet - I think you’ll be surprised just how hot the North can be.
-galen ubal, former Northerner-
Oh I alomost forgot… Go buy yourself a good shovel and shop early. Most bozos (myself included) leave it until the first dump of snow then run around trying to find one… SHOP EARLY.
When you get your first blizzard lock the doors , start up a fire , snuggle up to a loved one, make some hot chocolate and wait for someone to come dig you out.
Loved one, eh? I guess that’s what college is for. 
Hmmm . . . .
Ya know, it’s really not all that bad up here - we just like to talk about it to keep out all the riff-raff 
I think people have the impression that it averages -20F from November to March or something, and that’s not really the case. [sub]Most years. Of course, now that I’ve summoned wrath of Mother Nature down about my ears it might be…[/sub]
I’m just going to assume that you’ll be living on or near campus. Since parking at the U (any U. Doesn’t matter which campus you’re going to) stinks, make sure you have warm, waterproof boots - a good pair of hiking boots really does do the trick. Make sure the …uh…the bit that goes up your leg is a little high - higher than sneakers, at any rate; your biggest bitch will be walking through the snowbanks left behind by snow plows at curb cuts.
Like others said, layers and a hat is a smart move; I hate hats, though, and crocheted myself a huge scarf that wraps around my head a couple of times and tucks into my coat. I like it better because it protects my face and the back of my neck from wind, and I HATE that one gust of wind that finds its way down the back of my neck :mad:
If you’re bringing a car, it’s smart to have jumper cables in it, and you should put a block heater in it once you get here. If you plan on driving out in the hinterlands you may want to toss a blanket and a pair of Sorrels or snowmobile boots into your car. And that advice Galen gave you about hitting an empty parking lot to learn how to drive on bad roads wasn’t bad. Just remember to go slow - or walk. We have snow removal down to an art up here - roads are only really bad for a couple of days before most stuff melts off.
The one thing you won’t expect? How dark it gets in winter, and that it’s dark ALL THE TIME in winter. There’s such a thing out there as “Seasonal Affective Disorder”, and it affects some people pretty negatively. You may want to do a search on SAD and invest in a really bright lamp for your room.
Now tell us which school you’re attending so we can point out all the good bars 
I had a great response, but the hamsters ate it…
When you buy a winter coat, get it at least two sizes too large so you can layer sweaters and sweatshirts under it. You can shed layers, but you can’t add them if you don’t have them, y’see.
Also, make sure your boots have good traction. Not everyone is nice enough to keep their parking lots and sidewalks iced, and there is a VERY real risk of taking a nasty spill, as I did last year. I’m still recovering from that.
Where in South-Central Texas do you live? I’m in San Antonio till September, when I move back North (to PA, not to Minnesota) myself.
Robin
Ms Robyn, sorry for the hijack, but aren’t you in active labor?
Yeah, but it’s not time to go to the hospital yet. The baby’s taking his time.
Robin
If you’re buying a house with a sizeable driveway, upgrade to a decent snowthrower (or snowblower, if you prefer) AND a good snowshovel. Coat all surfaces that will come in contact with snow with a heavy layer of spray-on furniture wax. The snow won’t stick to the implements.
Then, when springtime FINALLY arrives, take the cover off your lawnmower and use it to cover your snowblower. Do the opposite after the first snowfall a few weeks later.
Oh, and don’t walk on the snow or ice with your hands in your pockets!
Another hijack:
I didn’t think you were due until August? Robin?
Oh and flu and virus season hits much harder up north too, people inside and in close quarters with each other. So since your hands are gonna be dry and chapped from winter winds and frequent hand washings bring up a case of lubriderm too.
Be ready to consider buying some good snow tires for driving. You cannot drive well in winter without them. I have lived in South Dakota and Alaska and know the value of having them in winter.
Cross-country skis and a sauna will get you happily through the worst winter weather. Seriously.
Jonmarzie, I can relate.
I was born and raised in Southern California, and other than going up to Big Bear in the mountains, I had little experience dealing with the snow.
I sounds like you are concerned with the winter conditions, and really it’s not as bad as sounds.
Sure it get cold, -20[sup]o[/sup] with a -50[sup]o[/sup] wind chill, and sometimes it snows alot, but that’s not every day.
Just be prepared.
There is something I have noticed though, during the summers, it does get hot and humid, and by mid August, your body finally adapts to the heat.
Then come late September, early October, when the temp dips to around 50-60[sup]o[/sup], you will think it’s freezing.
Then after spending all winter getting accustomed to the cold, when the temps rise to 30-40[sup]o[/sup], you will think it’s warm and you will go outside in your shorts and play frisbee.
Wierd, eh.
Be forewarned, there are but two seasons in Minnesota, Winter and (as some out of town PorkDopers can attest) Road Construction.
That’s not hot. That’s mildly warm. I’ll still play paintball in weather like that. In TX, the temperature will be 100 with enough humidity (75-80%) to make it feel 115.
If you encounter a slick icy sidewalk, take two steps to the side and walk on the nice crunchy snow instead. You’ll have better traction. (This is assuming you’re wearing your boots, of course.)
And oh yeah, to make it easier to clear the snow/ice off your car in the morning, go out and start it first, then let it run for 5-10 kinutes (depending on the cold/ice thickness) before starting to scrape. And be sure to get one of these BEFORE the first snowstorm. REALLY.
Two things to add if you’re going to be driving. First, invest in a complete set of good snow tires. Don’t listen to people who swear they get through the winter Just Fine on all-season tires. Snow tires are considerably safer, especially for those who are new to winter driving. Second, get the car checked out before the snow flies. If the brakes are getting bad, you really really don’t want to find out about it in a snowstorm.
And whether you’ll be driving or not, don’t assume that Weather Miserableness is a simple function of temperature. Just above freezing and raining has a miserableness factor to it that five or ten degrees colder and sunny simply cannot match. Even the damp caused by your own sweat can make you cold, so take off a layer or loosen your clothing if you feel yourself start to sweat. Wind also makes a huge difference - the TV weather guy will be happy to tell you the wind chill factor, and he’s not kidding.