Hi all,
It is a new week with the chance for each day to be a success! Here at Wellesley, we are supposed to be having a fairly large snowstorm today despite the unseasonably warm weather earlier in the week. For those reading who are not from the New England area, I thought it would only be appropriate to talk about all things New England winter weather and what to expect, bring and how to deal with the freezing weather.
What to expect: My credentials for this post are largely spending my whole life in New England and having grown up in Connecticut where it wasn’t unusual for us to have at least two snow days a year.
Winter weather can be a combination of precipitation (so the typical snow, hail, sleet, slush and of course ice) and usually a freezing temperature. The worst combination (in my opinion) is when it is bitterly cold (we’re talking 15 degrees or less) and windy. That is the kind of combination where it hurts to even be outside.
What to bring: For snow, I would highly recommend a pair of either snow boots or just a solid waterproof shoe that covers the ankle and back of the leg. I love my Blundstone boots but also am a fan of the L.L. Bean “Duck Boots,” which are a cute twist on a standard snow boot. If I could only suggest one item to bring, it would almost certainly be a waterproof shoe. There is nothing worse than stepping in a slush puddle or getting snow down your shoe if it doesn’t cover your ankles!
I would also recommend a pair of thick, wool socks. I love the brand “Smartwool” AND there is a local shoe store in Wellesley (literally a 5 minute walk from campus) that sells Blundstone and these socks. It is a great local business option to support while keeping warm in these New England winters!
In terms of dealing with winter weather, I try to get outside even if it is cold. I have found it to be very beneficial for my mental and physical health. I usually will do a walk downtown to get a coffee as a treat on super chilly days. I make sure to bundle up and layer! Layering is key. I usually do a base layer of leggings and a long sleeve shirt then bundle up with a sweater or sweatshirt before my big parka and scarf. It definitely doesn’t make it feel like a beach day, but it certainly helps with functioning in the winter!
Until next week,
Anna Tutek