I am in the STL area, and have been using the PBC in the winter for a couple of years. This past weekend with 17* and some light snow, the barrel ran at about 250 for 6.5 hrs, then dropped slowly over the next two hours to 200. So if your cooking PB, or brisket you might need to add some coals half way threw. If its just ribs and chicken, you should be ok. You might need to crack the lid a little here an there for 10 min. I have never used a wind block or anything on it. A wind blocker is not a bad idea though.