The Spring ‘Death Ray’ is Now Back in Rochester, Minnesota

It doesn't usually appear until later in the spring, but it's out there. It's powerful. It generates some heat. And it's back again in full force in southeast Minnesota!

Has Rochester's dastardly death ray of sunshine hit you yet this spring?

A Strange Spring Phenomenon: The Rochester 'Death Ray' Explained

Okay, I might be being a tad bit dramatic, but before you dismiss this as more fake news, hear me out: While it might not be, in fact, an actual ray of death, there is a distinct strong ray of sunlight that's pretty focused-- and kicks up a decent amount of heat-- right here in the North Star State if you happen to be in its path.

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I encountered this rite of spring here during the nice February thaw we've been experiencing this week here in Minnesota's Med City. It happened once as I was walking into the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center (DAHLC) and once in the parking lot outside the Townsquare Media Communications Complex, both in downtown Rochester.

Reflecting Heat: How Minnesota Buildings Create Concentrated Sunlight

While I experienced the Minnesota death ray here in Rochester, it's a phenomenon that could happen to any big building in the Gopher State with a shiny surface, if you're at just the right angle.

Again, it wasn't a death ray-- I'm still alive, mind you-- but I could definitely feel the heat when I crossed its path-- which is something rather welcome in the Bold North this time of year.

From Las Vegas to the North Star State: The Science of Solar Reflection

I call it the Minnesota death ray in homage to a similar phenomenon that happened a few years ago out in Las Vegas. As this Business Insider story says, the sun's reflection off the curved glass surface of the Vdara Hotel was so bright (it's the desert, after all) that it actually burned visitors who happened to be in its path while they were at the resort's pool outside.

So, yeah, Minnesota's 'death ray' isn't quite THAT problematic, of course. Both buildings, while impressive, aren't quite as big and don't have as many windows as the Vdara Hotel in Vegas. I only wish I'd figured it out earlier this winter when it was way colder!