Area residents wishing for a white Christmas enjoyed just that while temperatures hovered above freezing in the days that followed.
Mateo and Dahlia Marin successfully tested their skills on ice skates for the first time ever at Lakefront Park on Dec. 26 while visiting with their grandparents, Prior Lake residents Lindsay and Jarod Nickels. The following day, however, the city posted a notice that the ice rinks in the park could no longer be maintained due to the thaw and resulting slushy conditions.
Temps are expected to be above normal through the end of the year with below-freezing highs returning with the start of 2025. Park officials indicated they would be monitoring extended forecasts and resume ice rink operations once winter weather returns.