Even though leaves are still falling from trees, Tuesday's brisk, chillier weather is a reminder that a Minnesota winter is right around the corner, at least in theory.

For cold and snow lovers, our last two winters have been a disappointment .

"Been pretty bad," said Jim Smeby, secretary of Inver Grove Heights Snowmobile Club. "Last year, there was only three weekends that you could actually snowmobile."

Smeby has been a member of the group for more than 50 years, so he knows what a traditional Minnesota winter should look like.

"You kind of feel for the people that bought these brand new sleds for $15,000-20,000 and they don't have a chance to use them," said Smeby.

Some potentially good news on the horizon after two warmer, less snowy winters: NOAA is now predicting a gre

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