Spring officially arrived March 20, yet the ground still is frozen and
the wind is brisk.
Most students have lived in Michigan long enough to know winter is
by far the longest season, but this year’s abundant snowfall and
freezing temperatures have left students begging for spring to arrive.
“There were a couple of times this year when it took me a couple of
extra hours to drive up here from home because of bad road conditions,”
said Larry Ribley, Port Huron freshman.
Slippery roads were one of the many hazards that this winter had to
offer. The temperatures alone were potentially deadly to many Michigan
residents.
By early March, Metro Detroit had surpassed the average snowfall for
all of winter by 10 inches. The extremely cold temperatures have been
especially hard on the homeless, with shelters already exceeding their
capacity.
On a local scale, the CMU baseball and softball teams are being
affected by the unseasonably cold March weather. Both teams have had
games canceled this week, but the snow covering the fields must melt in
order for the games to take place.
Fortunately, the forecast for the following week shows a warming
trend, with temperatures reaching the 40 degree mark.
Sarah Stillman, Clare junior, is anticipating the opportunities that
warmer weather will bring.
“I can’t wait until it hits 50 degrees outside,” she said. “That’s
just the right temperature to not need a coat. Then it’s also warm
enough to enjoy outdoor activities again.”
It is easy for students to feel cooped up by long Michigan winters,
which can even affect some people’s moods.
Emily Leslie, Fennville senior, said that she feels peppy and has
more motivation in the spring, as opposed to the sluggish effect winter
has on many people.
“The nicer weather will make me get up and go work out more,” she
said.
Leslie also is anxious for spring weather to arrive so she can begin
wearing summer clothes again.
“I look forward to wearing cute summer clothes because I am so sick
of wearing dark colored clothing,” she said.
While some students were lucky enough to escape to a warm climate
during spring break, they eventually returned to snow-covered Michigan.
“Other years it seemed like the snow was gone after spring break,”
said Mark Crawford, Oxford senior. “Returning to the cold weather was
definitely a reality check after being in Mexico for a week.”
Even though the current weather does not look too promising, warmer
temperatures will be on their way before long.
Let the thought of barbecues, playing catch outside, and summer
vacation fill your mind as the last of the snow melts.