Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather in Michigan is definitely famous for being bitterly cold, harsh winds, and lots of snow. Although this may be true, there are definitely ways to combat this winter weather and even learn to enjoy the season! Ann Arbor winters average temperatures from -15°C to 3°C. There is usually a lot of snow, especially in December and January, and it gets darker much earlier.

The best way to combat the cold is with proper clothing, jackets, and winter accessories. Different clothing materials also have an impact on how effective they will be. Anything made of wool, down, cotton, and/or fleece is surely to be a protectant from the winter weather. Winter clothes and accessories are essential to surviving a Michigan winter. These items include: winter coats, sweaters, boots, gloves or mittens, scarves, hats, headbands or ear muffs, thick socks, and long underwear (long johns or thermal underwear). Although some of these may seem unnecessary as the winter continues, they are all important pieces in protecting yourself from the winter weather.

A good way to avoid the cold winter is taking the Michigan bus more often to avoid walking outside, especially when the wind chills are high. Also, avoid biking, as the conditions outside can be very slippery and dangerous.

Although winter sounds sort of miserable, there are ways to enjoy the season. Some popular winter activities include: skiing, ice skating, sledding, hockey, and having snowball fights. There are some trips that are sponsored by the University of Michigan to do some of these activities. There is also the Yost Arena, where students can go ice skating or play hockey for a fee. These activities can pretty much exclusively be done in the winter, which also makes the season more special.

When it gets colder, people also get more concerned about getting ill easier. It is important in the winter to stay away from sick people, wash your hands often, get enough sleep and hydration, and have a well-balanced diet. However, if you do get sick and are worried about class, first check the syllabus to see the sick policy/reasons for missing class. Then, contact your professor ASAP to let them know of your illness, and visit the University of Michigan, University Health Service (UHS) to see what’s wrong and get a doctor’s note. Going to class while sick could cause more problems than not going at all.

Although there are definitely some things to be aware of before winter hits, there are definitely ways to combat it and enjoy the season! Here are some takeaways:

G: Get winter essentials to keep yourself warm

O: Outfits should be in layers

B: Be aware of a winter weather watch/advisory/warning

L: Learn how to take care of yourself

U: Understand that you don’t have to go to class/work if you are sick

E: Explore different winter activities!

Written by Charisma Thapa