winters at U of Michigan

jenna23 · 02-01-2009, 11:26 PM

Can anyone tell me if the winters at UM are brutal and if so how many months of the school year would you say are so freezing cold that you can't go out? Also, is there a lot to do on campus socially when it's so cold outside?

Csiedlecki · 02-08-2009, 04:48 PM

January and February suck, (Although today its relatively nice out), it doesn't start getting nice again till about when you're getting ready to go home for the summer. There's no solid "months" where nobody goes out, there's certain days when it's incredibly miserable (single digits, below zero), but they're few and far behind, don't define the winter by a few exceptionally cold days. If it gets into the 20's and 30's in winter you'll be wearing a light jacket and thinking its warm out.

There's always something to do on campus socially. Parties die down in winter compared to early fall, but they definitely do not stop. There's always shows, productions, musical performances, and res-halls put activities on.

ttZERO2 · 02-09-2009, 08:49 PM

I've lived just outside Ann Arbor my whole life and winters are not terrible. Sure, it's cold, but it's easy to get used to, especially with the random weather changes throughout the winter. Like tomorrow it's supposed to be 60 here. These changes are not normal, but they're definitely not unheard of. To be honest, if I had to leave Michigan for somewhere else that isn't cold a third of the year I would miss the weather. It wears on u and if it wasn't cold this time of year it would feel wierd and uncomfortable.

jenna23 · 02-09-2009, 09:06 PM

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I actually like the seasons. I was hoping there are
a lot of things to do on or near campus for those people who don't ski, and I'm glad to hear that there are activities on campus for the months it's really cold. Are there a lot of things to do in addition to parties, and would you say most kids remain on campus or do things outside of campus? I've never been to Ann Arbor before, but I heard it's a great college town.

Csiedlecki · 02-10-2009, 12:33 PM

defining on/off campus is kind of difficult here since Ann Arbor feels like campus really. The entire city is geared towards U of M. Alot of activities are held directly on campus, like in buildings you would have classes in during winter, but there are also tons of things going on 2 or 3 blocks away in privately owned buisnesses. Music, movies, arts, dances, theatre, cultural meetings, language sessions, science clubs, volunteer opportunities, it's all within walking distance. Chances are if you're interested in something at least 20 other people here share it, you just have to find them. The only time I ever went off campus, (Meaning I took a bus for several minutes that wasn't a michigan one.) was for a Meijer run at the beginning of the year, and to see the new bond movie in November, since the "mainstream" theatre isn't walking distance from the dorms.

gilmorelove4life · 02-13-2009, 01:39 AM

i'm from california and im pretty used to 50+ degrees weather. will michigan winters be a shock for me?

ttZERO2 · 02-13-2009, 11:56 AM

haha yeah...

pseudovirus · 02-14-2009, 06:45 PM

uhh probably. from december to march it rarely goes above 35 in the winter. there are the odd 60-degree day, but it is very unusual. a lot of the time it is below 20 degrees--that was what all of january was like. also, snow is a definite pain.

paperheart632 · 04-04-2009, 04:46 PM

Hey, I'm from Arizona and had never been to Michigan until I decided to come here last year so I am familiar with your concerns. It is definitely doable. It's cold, but everyone thinks it's cold. No one particularly likes it so it's not as if you will be left out. The key is layering. I know in California you wear like one light jacket during the winter and that's it but get used to wearing at least two coats or one heavy one during the winter. Also, befriend Northface. It is what 90% of students wear here during the winter and they make awesome winter clothes. You will survive!

MargieSpeaks · 04-06-2009, 06:48 PM

One of the best parties I ever went to was a "Beach Party" after an Ann Arbor snowstorm. The hosts set up beach chairs, an umbrella and beach towels out in the snow, we ran out in bathing suits just long enough to pose for pictures, then ran back in for hot toddies from the crockpot. No sunburn that day.

perezeli · 06-03-2009, 12:30 PM

im from texas n im kinda dreading winters in michigan! how bad is it??

QwertyKey · 06-03-2009, 08:17 PM

It's very cold... But you'll get used to it after your first year.

LVivi09 · 06-09-2009, 01:37 PM

Hi five there California & Texas people! I moved to Michigan about 5 years ago, and still cant get used to the winter. You can live with it, but its very uncomfortable when you are used to the nice weather over there. Its always fun to go out in the snow when the first storms come, later it can get annoying.