Welcome to Fargo - It’s the first day of winter and it can be totally frightening. The key to surviving is whether you’re ready or not. Our pink faces may look like sunburn but that’s actually from the 50 mph winds that grace our flatland home. With snow drifts taller than our cars, roads slicker-n-sh*t and armed with our ice scrapers in hand, we offer you a few tips to surviving Fargo winter:

1. Avoid under packing your car - its not if you’ll get stuck but when. Be sure to always carry the essentials in your car. We are talking a shovel, ice scraper, blanket and jumper cables. Mother nature may be nice to us in the summer months but boy does she unleash her wrath during the winter. 
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2.  Wear a proper winter coat - Here’s the deal this is Fargo not New York Fashion Week. We are all trying to stay warm when outside in the 50 mph winds. Get a warm coat and zip it up. Heck even top it off with a hat and mittens. We can all admire your fashionable outfits when we dethaw.
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3. Walk like a penguin - The arctic chickens have it down. The waddle is a respected form of transportation in Fargo. If you get too confident and take on step too quick you will find yourself on your derriere! Good news, you won’t be alone for long down there. Fargo Friends have got your back!
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4. Stay at home during blizzards - We know we know you have places to be and people to see. Save us all some time and keep your camrys, civics, fusions and cruzes at home! Now, we will probably be midwest nice and come pull you out with our four wheel drive vehicles, but let's save us all some body heat by waiting until the plows come through for pete’s sake. 
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5. Invest in a snow blower - If you have never visited Fargo {or seen the movie} you need to know one thing. We get snow. Like a lot of snow. We are talking 9.3 inches and more in one blizzard alone. While it may fall in pretty little flakes that darn snow gets pretty heavy. Save yourself the back pain (& chiropractor visits) by investing in a snow blower. Once you’ve been a Fargonian for a bit you will find yourself snow blowing the neighbor’s sidewalk too because well it just feels right!
   
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6. Ice - whether you can see it or not it’s there. With our deadly combination of wind, snow and sometimes freezing rain the town gets pretty slick. Black ice is a driver's worst nightmare and the walkers’ worst fear. We don’t really have a solution to help you prevent this other than slow down before you need to when driving, get some sidewalk salt and expect a few bruises after a good blizzard.
   
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7. Make your own sun - If you work the average 8-5 job odds are you will drive to work in the dark, sit inside all day and drive home in the dark. Whether you want to take Vitamin D pills or try out the newest Happy Lights, be sure to make a plan to combat our lack of sunshine. Seasonal depression can take a toll on even the brightest, bubbliest Fargonian. 
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8. Get out and enjoy the snow - Fargo is full of hearty individuals with a love of creating community. Mark your calendars for some of Fargo’s best winter events including Frostival, Holiday Lights Parade and some classic pond hockey. Winter can be a literal pain in the keister but it also comes with a whole new list of outdoor activities for those brave enough to venture outside.
   
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When all else fails remember there’s always warm people {& cold local libations} nearby to help us make it through the winter. Summers coming...right?! 

Until next time - stay warm Fargo!