Today's speaker was Peter Boulay from the MN State Climatology Office, where he has worked for the past 27 years. His presentation reviewed historical and current weather trends. 2024 was the warmest on record. We are currently in a drought but it is the "wettest of droughts", i.e. not as catastrophic as some others have been. Climate change is having many impacts, with winter season being the most changed. Our growing season has gone from 125 days historically to now a number closer to 150. Peak fall color now is 12 days later than it was in the early 1970's. When asked to give a prediction for the coming winter, he spoke about the fact that we will be experiencing La Nina conditions which usually means it will be colder than normal and likely bring about more snow. He also spoke to trends impacting trees. Emerald Ash Borer has decimated our elm tree population of late, following the prior scourge of Dutch Elm disease. What kind of trees should we be planting right now? No firm answers currently available!