<p>I've read a lot about making sure to layer up if I head over to Rochester. I've lived in a hot island all of my life, so no matter how much I mentally prepare myself, I don't think I'll ever be physically prepared before actually going there! All I know is that I need to buy the winter gear when I get there, because Rochester stores apparently have the best quality. </p>
<p>If anyone wants to share their "battle stories" adjusting to Rochester weather, it'd definitely be useful (and amusing!), especially those who went through such a drastic change like I'm about to.</p>
<p>The acclimation period won’t be as drastic as you think. You’ll likely arrive in August when it’s still warm and will have time for your body to adjust as it cools off…and you learn what “lake effect snow” really means…With the tunnels. your outside time will also be limited…</p>
<p>I was born in the actual snow belt in NY, which is somewhat east of Rochester - because of the mountains and the way the winds come off Lake Ontario. My dad told me about going to the movies and being unable to find the car under all the snow. A few years back, Syracuse got over 100 inches of snow in December. In just December. </p>
<p>Rochester went through a period of 5 or so years with almost no snow. They’ve had 2 winters where the pattern is closer to normal. </p>
<p>Given the tunnel/corridors and the incredibly fast snow removal on campus, you will not notice snow that much. You will notice cold, particularly as an upper classman. If you live in “Phase”, for example, you cross a footbridge behind SueB that gets really windy. </p>
<p>Winter can be fun. It’s really pretty, particularly when you live a college bubble where other people clean it up like magic. You do winter stuff, like sledding on stuff and snowballs. One of my kids loves winter.</p>
<p>My first year (77-78) we set a record for snowfall with about 160 inches…We broke it the next year and it snowed during finals in May…There is nothing like playing football in a two foot blizzard…If you like cross country or downhill skiing, it is a great place to be…
The winters can be ( as people noted) lots of fun and part of the college experience.</p>
<p>D graduated two years ago. During her 4 years, we actually had more snow in Massachusetts than she had in Rochester. It was cold, and it was gray, alot. But as Lergnom said, the Syracuse snow belt is a little to the east of Rochester.</p>
<p>D2’s friend from rural Alaska used to walk around UR in the middle of winter in a hoodie, and shorts. He didn’t have any issues with the weather…</p>
<p>I’m nervous too! I’m not from a tropical island, but I am from California. Have you ever been to the snow before? I’ve been skiing and stuff, but I know I’m still going to be excited in the winter, at least for the first few days.</p>
<p>I’ve been sledding in Japan, but that was a long time ago! I know Japan snow is completely different from Rochester snow though. Are you decided on Rochester?</p>