A legal objection — with tongue in cheek suspected — was filed Thursday against what is just the latest drumbeat of a relentless and exhausting winter. Hennepin County District Judge Kevin Burke signed an emergency temporary restraining order filed by the citizens of Minnesota that names as defendants Minnesota Meteorologists, Old Man Winter and Mr. Snow.

In his ruling, laden with ample doses of legalese and humor, Burke wrote, “This order is issued because there is compelling evidence in the record that Minnesota Meteorologists have conspired with the other defendants to increase television and radio ratings. Who, for example, would watch the weather in Hawaii, where it is always nice?”