<p>I've been in Rochester for the past 5 years, and I think it's about time we set the record straight on the weather at Rochester, NY. </p>
<p>You've heard the stereotype - the weather is terrible. Let me just say that this is absolutely not true. I have lived in New York State my entire life, and I believe I can provide some incite to quell the rumors about Rochester's weather...</p>
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<li> Rochester's cold season lasts from mid-January through early March. Remember, the city of Rochester is at 43 degrees latitude north of the equator, we are not entitled to San Diego-caliber weather 12 months a year! Cities at this latitude will experience some sort of winter. Rochester's will last from mid-January through early March. This is less than 2 months a year. February will be cold, expect it, embrace it! It's nice to have 4 seasons.<br></li>
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<p>I have come back from winter break wearing shorts to my first week of classes in January EVERY YEAR between 2005-2009. By the end of January the temperatures drop below freezing and the snow starts to fall. Once you get back from Spring Break (mid-March), all of the snow will be gone, and spring will be on it's way. Today is April 5th and it is over 80 degrees and sunny outside!!!</p>
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<li> Snow accumulation is pathetic in Rochester, NY. Coming from a rural mountainous area of NY, I cannot understand how people think 4 inches of snow on the ground is a lot. During my 5 winters of Rochester, snow will only stick on the ground for the month of February. Whatever falls outside of the month of February will melt within the week.</li>
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<p>I love the winter and wish there was more snow! Rochester, NY, does not receive the amount of lake effect snow that Buffalo & Syracuse get. The wind patterns off of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario prevent most massive snowfalls in the Rochester region. If a huge snowstorm does occur, it will most likely be during February (when you should expect snow anyway). If it occurs before or after February, it will melt soon.</p>
<p>Rochester may receive the occasional 6 inches of snow in one storm, but realistically it will only snow a half inch a day on average during February. Do NOT be fooled about Rochester winters, they are not as ferocious as they are hyped up to be. </p>
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<li> Fall & Spring in Rochester are beautiful. The period from Freshman Orientation in late August through Halloween in October is absolutely stunning in Rochester. The temperatures range between 80-50 degrees (Fahrenheit), and it is only humid at the end of August. The campus is beautiful in the fall when all the leaves change color too. This is truly a magnificent time of year for Rochester. Definitely take a walk through Genesee Valley Park (borders our campus to the south) or venture into Highland Park (borders our campus to the east).</li>
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<p>When you return from Spring Break, the weather really gets nice again. People come out of winter-mode to play frisbee and campus golf. Lots of students will hang out on the quad after class. Anyone who visits during a sunny Spring Open Campus day this April will be amazed with the level of activity outside of the Rush Rhees Library. </p>
<p>Typically the temperature hovers around the 40-50 F range until April. April-May temperatures can go from 50-80 F. When the Lilacs bloom in Highland Park and on campus, you almost don't want to study anymore!</p>
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<li> Cloud cover. Potentially Rochester's only downfall? I haven't done a study to calculate how many days a year have cloud cover in Rochester, NY, but I would guess around 40% of the days have substantial cloud cover. The other 60% range from bright blue clear skies (which has been the case all this week essentially), to partially cloudy, to mostly sunny skies. Perhaps we shouldn't complain until we spend a year in Seattle, WA?</li>
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<p>When it was cloudy, I didn't feel as guilty locking myself in my room / the library all day doing work. The cloud cover probably helped raise my GPA! haha! Also, when it was sunny, I really appreciated going outside to play sports with my friends at Fauver Stadium / relax on the quad.</p>
<p>My theory why people misinterpret the weather statistic is that from November - early March the temperatures are usually below 50 degrees, and are not conducive to hanging out outdoors. Therefore, it doesn't matter if it's a bright blue sky on a cold day, people will still say "it's terrible out". </p>
<p>If one simply looks at a weather radar, they will see that if it is cloudy in Rochester, that means it is also cloudy in Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse during that same system that's passing through. It's not like Rochester has it's own cloud cover. Chances are that the very same system will then cover up Philadelphia, New York City, Hartford, and Boston the very next day. Therefore, Rochester can't be much cloudier than any of these listed cities. </p>
<p>There should be a new stereotype to define Rochester's weather - pleasant with a moderate winter compared to most Northeast cities.</p>
<p>If you can't stand winter, don't apply to schools north of Washington D.C., St. Louis, anywhere in the Rockies/Sierra Nevadas/Cascades, or in Alaska. Rochester has nice weather with 4 great seasons.</p>
<p>Good luck to those admitted! Please visit the campus to see this our weather for yourself!</p>