Moving from a Warm Climate

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After returning to her home in Hawaii, a Frances Perkins candidate emailed the FP who had taken her on an MHC campus tour and who also had lived in Hawaii:

"If I move from a warm climate, what can I expect of winter in South Hadley?"

When I was considering coming to MHC from California, I too wondered how I would endure the winter weather, especially the snow, what would I wear, and how would I stay warm? Although it can be cold in Massachusetts, I quickly adapted to the change of seasons.

Any time after mid-September it is sometime chilly, but there are many nice warm days too. What helps one get through the fall is the beautiful the scenery – especially on the Mount Holyoke campus. It generally isn't cold on a steady basis until Christmas time. The coldest part of winter often begins in February in my mind, when the serious snow arrives – the kind that you have to scrape off the car before driving. Again, the beauty of the scenery helps one get through this.

I was surprised at how invigorating the cold weather can be. And when the snow comes, which it will, you can build a snowman! Actually, I've seen snowwomen here too. I suggest you purchase your winter clothing shortly after you arrive, so you’ll be ready for the cold weather when it hits. Layers are the best way to go, so you can peel off clothes when you are inside the classrooms where it will be much warmer.  I learned to move quickly between buildings and to layer my clothing. 

Stay away from acrylics, which look nice but do not keep you warm. Choose cotton or wool sweaters that you can wear a shirt under, and pick up a few long sleeve cotton turtlenecks. One winter coat or jacket will get you through the winter, and a raincoat will get you through fall and spring. Gloves, a scarf, and a warm hat can also help you through those seasons. When it rains, you can’t count on drip-drying here, as you can in Hawaii.

Spring usually arrives in early April and it's time to shed the layers. The grass turns green and the campus is truly beautiful when the crabapple trees flower and the daffodils blossom. The climate in New England is full of surprises, but the changing weather is something most of us enjoy.

Theresa Chamberland, FP '98