When people think of Oswego, they will in many cases associate it with weather. Not just any weather. Winter weather. Wind, snow, frigid air, and icy conditions all come to mind.
Some people embrace the cold months of winter. Others? Not so much. Either way, there is no hiding from it in Oswego.
Back home, I have of course experienced my fair share of winter storms – I live in New York State, so there is no missing it. Being right on the shore of Lake Ontario in Oswego, however, brings an extra twist.
It only took a short time of being in Oswego to learn of ways to handle the weather.
An umbrella is not always a friend
A logical person might think that an umbrella is a good solution for dealing with precipitation in Oswego. In many cases, it is. When walking through the wind tunnels of Oswego, however, it can be a different story.
Unless you want to be going to class Mary Poppins style, an umbrella may not always be the best option. Windy conditions can make this a challenge. An umbrella can only do so much when the rain is coming in sideways, anyway.
I have seen several broken and torn umbrellas in the trash since I have been here. Fortunately, none of those umbrellas were mine.
Covering up in layers, cutting through buildings when possible, and taking advantage of the buses on campus are the best ways to stay dry, warm, and happy.
Have boots on the ready
Obviously, boots are important in the winter, even though I rarely wear them. Typically, I depend on plowed and shoveled sidewalks when walking to class.
However, the best use for boots, I have found, comes during a late night fire drill.
Being half asleep, standing outside in the cold in the side of a snow bank, waiting to get back inside, is pretty inconvenient. It is even more inconvenient in improper footwear. Flip flops or shower shoes certainly are not the best way to go about it.
No amount of hair gel can stop the wind’s work
I do not really worry about my hair– okay, maybe a little. With the wind in Oswego, I am just glad that I do not worry about it more.
It gets windy sometimes – more than sometimes. In the warmer months of the year, a small breeze feels great. During winter, the massive wind gusts are not as refreshing. They are also harsh on the hair.
Hats are a great idea to stay warm anyway, but to keep that hair looking good – essential.
Hat hair? Well, that is a different story for a different time.
It really is not that bad – most of the time
Oswego definitely gets its fair share of winter weather, but so does everywhere else in the northeast. Is the weather something to be prepared for? Definitely.
At the same time though, Oswego weather can be overhyped. The legendary stories of people using ropes to walk to class are a prime example of this.
The weather in Oswego is manageable – especially after learning what I have.
Still, it does not always have to be fun.