What is the weather like at UMichigan?

<p>I've heard winters get cold, but is it really that bad? Are people in a bad mood because of it?</p>

<p>I went their for grad school, albeit 30 years ago.</p>

<p>Cold and dreary.</p>

<p>But so are many other top northern schools.</p>

<p>Would you not recommend it then?</p>

<p>It really isn’t that bad. This past winter was relatively warm (it got really warm during March, and pretty much stayed that way). There’s about 6 weeks of harsh winter (if that), but it isn’t all that different from any northern state. Nobody I know has gotten SAD/psych issues from the weather.</p>

<p>Cold, yes. Too cold? Nope.</p>

<p>I go to MSU not UofM but the weather is similar. You’ll need a good coat and the winter could be a little long and dreary but it isn’t that bad.</p>

<p>The weather in Ann Arbor really isn’t that bad, and doesn’t really detract from the awesomeness of the school (unless you are one of those people who absolutely can’t stand winter weather at all, and grew up in a tropical/semi-tropical place). This year Michigan had probably its most mild winter in recent years (only a couple weeks with actual snow, if that). Granted, I’m from Alaska, so anything in the states is an improvement from what I’m used to. But I really don’t think Michigan winters are that cold, aside from occasional freezing gusts of wind (in comparison to other states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc. that tend to get a lot colder)</p>

<p>Midsouth and southeast Michigan winters by and large are much more mild than anywhere else in the northern midwest or New England. It can be cold but we’re fairly insulated by the lakes and we don’t get lake effect snow that far in. </p>

<p>Like mentioned above, we had an INSANELY mild winter this year. </p>

<p>The weather should absolutely not make or break your decision.</p>

<p>insulated by the lakes?? The stories I’ve heard were that the closer you live toward the lakes, the more snow you get because that’s where all the H2O comes from. I hear you need a snowmobile in those places near the great lakes during winter.</p>

<p>^ Yes (kind of), but only on the coast. It’s called lake effect. It barely goes to the Kzoo area. </p>

<p>Really, Michigan doesn’t get that much snow unless you’re up in the TC area or the UP. </p>

<p>In general, the water regulate temperatures. Look at the UK.</p>

<p>Personally, I find the incessant torrential downpour in the fall-- when temperatures are just above freezing-- to be immeasurably more miserable than the winter. It’s cold, but if you dress appropriately winter is not a big deal. It will be cloudy and largely colorless for most of the school year, though… I grew up here so it doesn’t bother me, but not everybody adjusts. It depends on you. The weather tends not to affect my mood very much. </p>

<p>If you get into Michigan, buy a hat and scarf and be grateful. That’s my take.</p>

<p>Some people are more bothered by the cloudiness than the cold. It’s not all that cold, really. Ann Arbor doesn’t get the amount of snow that much of Michigan does. It is pretty tolerable when it’s cold. All the maize and blue should raise your spirits!</p>