So if you could pick between an extreme heat wave and the polar vortex that is currently plaguing most of the United States, what would you pick? Hands down, I’d choose extreme heat and no, I’m not just saying that because it’s miserably cold right now. Here’s why:

Assuming that you stay properly hydrated, it is much easier to deal with heat than it is with cold that has the power to freeze flesh in under 5 minutes. The Artic Chill is responsible for at least 20 related deaths (and many more if you count car accidents) and hospitals are overflowing with cases of frostbite and hypothermia. Heat waves don’t cause the same treacherous conditions for drivers and commuters and don’t delay transportation on the same level (plowing runways, de-icing planes, clearing train tracks). Not to mention for those who have driveways and walkways, shoveling snow is hard work (it has unfortunately led to at least four deaths in the last 48 hours in Chicago alone) and is very time consuming.

Furthermore, extreme cold is costly. Many businesses were forced to temporarily close. People who would normally walk to work were forced to find alternate means of transportation. Over 3,500 flights have been canceled or delayed. Schools are closed (which means no busing, no school lunches, no janitorial services). Cold weather clothes cost more too, not only because you need more items (hat, gloves, scarves, jackets, pants, boots), but also because you need proper insulation.

I will say this, there have been some phenomenal photos over the last few days – like this one of the ice building up along Lake Michigan or this photo of a Chicago resident throwing boiling water into the air. However aesthetically pleasing, I’ll take a desert over the arctic tundra any day of the week.