The local consensus (NE Iowa) is that we've had colder winters; we've had snowier winters; we've even had windier winters, but this year has seen all three in remarkably miserable combinations that seem interminable. The farmland portions of my commute have often been knuckle-whiteners this year due to the blowing snow, and local drivers have told me that it has been an "interesting" winter.
(Not the exact terminology, but good enough.)
We're not in the same league as the Great Lakes, but many places around here that usually have ample open water even in cold weather are frozen over this year.
Mr. niteowl77
Lake of the Ozarks, which is essentially the Osage River, is froze over for the first time I can recall.
This has to be a winter for the ages...