Our recent polar vortex whisked me back to my four-year stint as a business reporter with the Bismarck Tribune. We had moved to North Dakota’s capital in early January 1997, just in time for the record three-day blizzard that would lead to historic flooding in Grand Forks later in the spring. 

An early stop at the grocery store for baby formula and diapers introduced us to the concept of everyone keeping their vehicles running in the minus-20 temperatures while they were shopping. My wife, Emily, and I would hear early and often from the natives that crime wasn’t a big concern because “20 below keeps the riffraff out.” 

Another early discovery — which could prove useful in Des Moines if the jet stream continues to misbehave — was engine block heaters. We soon had one installed in each of our cars, allowing us to plug in overnight and start the cars in the morning in below-zero weather. I still have about 150 feet of outdoor extension cords I bought to run from our first apartment out to the street to our 1976 Ford Torino. 

Other Bismarck conventions that could catch on for future potential polar vortices in Iowa: 

• Fur-lined “bomber” hats.
• Storm windows and doors you put on every fall and remove in the spring.
• Homemade wet bars built into every basement.

To be fair, Bismarck had four gorgeous seasons and some of the nicest folks we had ever met. They do take a little while to warm up to you, for some reason.