There’s a reason why the Penn State meteorology program is elite. If you can predict the weather here in Happy Valley, you’ll have no problem in Southern California where it’s always 70 and sunny or Seattle where everyday presents a constant drizzle. 

The weather here, it just doesn’t make sense. Last Friday it was 60 and sunny, then it went on to snow the last three days over the weekend, and now, this Thursday it’s going to be 70 and sunny again. 

Coming to state college, you’ve got to be prepared for all weather conditions. The first 2 weeks after we arrive in the fall- it is just HOT. You’d think in PA the heat wouldn’t be that overwhelming, especially if you are from the South or somewhere hotter, but the high humidity and unrenovated dorms without air conditioning all add up to you absolutely melting. 

After the heat dies down a bit, you are most certainly still not out of the woods yet. Here at University Park, it rains – A LOT. I remember last semester every Thursday (I remember because it was the day I had to walk to Hammond for EDesign twice) it rained. It rained for 5 or 6 Thursdays in a row at one point. I would always get back from Hammond and immediately try to save my notebooks and computer from my wet backpack. –Life hack: If you put all the notebooks in your backpack in a plastic bag, it usually keeps them pretty dry. Alternatively, you can rock the poncho over your backpack. Nobody will judge you for this move – they’d only be jealous that they hadn’t thought of it themselves.

All in all, the weather during the fall semester is pretty nice. You can be outside comfortably the whole semester especially if you don’t mind a little heat in the beginning or a torrential downpour here and there. However, the spring semester is a different story.

There’s a reason why most people choose to study abroad in the spring semester instead of the fall (yeah football is probably part of that). But when you get back to campus in January, the high is below freezing, and you gotta get used to it because warmer temperatures aren’t coming until the end of March if you’re lucky. 

I’d say if you know you’re coming to a BIG 10 school, a quality winter jacket is worth the investment because you’ll be wearing it everyday for at least three months while you’re here. Same thing with a pair of boots. Go for functionality over style. 

The best part about the snow is there will be so many chances to have fun in the winter weather with all of your friends. Some highlights: Snow football on the old main lawn, Trash bag sledding down the hill behind the baseball field, and Moving cart carnage behind the HUB. Don’t forget about the impromptu snowball when you see your friend walking to class. The weather is a lot more enjoyable as long as you’re having fun with it!