<p>This is sort of a vague question but what is the winter like at Notre Dame/ weather in general? I was recently accepted and so excited! Notre Dame is one of my top choices. I visited in August and really loved the school, but I'm worried about the winter. I come from a very hot year round climate (its like 85 degrees this time of year and basically like that all year long) and very humid (which i wouldn't mind escaping :p) anyways I'm scared i won't be able to properly adapt to the climate and i don't want to be miserable :( i really love notre dame and i don't want that reason I don't attend to be weather related. Can anyone just sort of describe the weather/if they came from warmer regions how they adapted/ what type of clothes to wear/ what do people do in freezing cold weather/do people still go out? Sorry that's a lot of questions I'm just trying to figure this out because I really love ND!</p>
<p>side note I am planning on visiting Notre Dame soon, when should I go? I wanna go when its still pretty cold just to really get a feel for it during the winter time. Thanks!!!</p>
<p>Yep… it’s cold, wet, windy, snowy, all the things you would expect for winter in the upper mid-west. You need water-proof footwear, boots or hiking shoes, if you want dry feet. Snow boots are good also, but some just get around in sneakers. Layers are a must. Sweaters, hoodies, a warm, water-proof coat. You are outside alot walking around campus. It is really beautiful in the snow, and fun. Make snowmen, hike around the lakes, enjoy the fresh, cold air. It really is what you make it.</p>
<p>^^Agreed. And don’t forget your hats and gloves (there are even winter gloves you can text with) as well. I’d suggest you visit in January/February if you want to get a sense of what winter is like at ND.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you. As others have said, you need decent outerwear, but you will find the temperatures pretty relative. If you visit in Jan. or Feb. you will feel much colder than the people who live there (so you should still go, but don’t get freaked out). That’s because your body acclimates gradually as the temperatures drop in the Fall. It’s amazing how 30 degrees F feels like Siberia if you are coming from 70 degree weather, but 30 degrees feels like the tropics if it’s been 10 below zero recently - people break out the t-shirts and flip-flops. Really!</p>
<p>So, you will be fine. Winter is not scary. Life goes on just as it does at other times of the year. Relish the chance to enjoy four seasons and look forward to big sweaters, cozy cabin socks, and hot chocolate!</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I think I’m going to visit in Feb, so hopefully I can see what it’s like. Are there any brands of jackets you guys recommend? I know they can be expensive sometimes but I’ve heard that you really need a good coat/jacket for the winter. Also what type of snow boots are best? Hahah looks like I’m going to need to buy a whole new wardrobe. Sorry for all these questions, I’m just nervous but also very excited and ready to go to college!</p>
<p>You don’t need to be too concerned about brand. Some brands are more popular on campus, but that’s more of a fad. You don’t have to spend tons of money to get good, warm winter clothing. My only recommendation for brands is NOT to plan on using Uggs for snowy days. Uggs are great for keeping your feet warm on cold days when there is no snow, but they have no traction, so you will slide all over the place if it is snowy or icy. I can’t tell you how many people from the southern states I’ve seen wearing Uggs in the snow and falling all over the place.</p>
<p>Any down winter jacket is fine (North Face is a great and a popular brand, but my D prefers a jackets with a more tailored look – up to you), any waterproof snow-boots or work-boots (like timberlands) are fine, a wool hat (that covers your hears), gloves (again, if you see the ones that you can text with that is a plus if you come to school here, not necessary for a weekend trip), and a scarf. And you can wear a sweater or sweatshirt (or buy a ND hoodie when you are on campus!). In general, you want to have clothes where you’ll be comfortable and can stay kinda warm, but you may not want to invest a ton of money in winter gear until you are sure you want to attend ND!!</p>
<p>I agree that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get good winter outerwear. Some brands have become very popular, but you almost have to take out a loan to be able to afford them. Down insulation is good. There are many synthetic insulations that are just as good, particularly if you take into account the facts that they are cheaper, they dry faster when wet, and most are machine washable. Keep in mind that you are going to Indiana, not the North Pole. If you want to go winter camping, you need hard-core gear. If you will mostly be walking between heated buildings on shoveled paths, you want something a little comfortably lighter that you can layer under if necessary for colder expeditions. A wool hat and scarf are good to have along with Thinsulate-type gloves. Realistically, what you will see on all but the coldest days is students out and about with their jackets unzipped, no hat or gloves, and maybe boots if it’s snowy or slushy, but sneakers and fashion footwear otherwise. I do think my Sorel boots keep my feet warmer and drier than any others I’ve had, but then they can be too warm indoors. Anything reasonably warm and waterproof is fine. You can decide what style works best for you. I personally like to have my rear covered (I’ve never cared for the ski jacket style much). If I could only have one winter jacket it would be a parka style with a removable hood. They also often have wind adjusters that have the benefit of slenderizing the waist, and it’s easy to wear something else under them if necessary. Once you get to school you might be able to find other coats or jackets inexpensively at thrift stores - for example, you may decide that you want something a little dressier on occasion.</p>
<p>“Keep in mind that you are going to Indiana”</p>
<p>Yes, NORTHERN Indiana, and on the border of Michigan. </p>
<p>It can get down to 0 Degrees in the winters. If you check the weather forecast, it is predicted to be -8 Degrees F (NEGATIVE 8 Degrees) next week. </p>
<p>They have had mild winter seasons and they also get blizzards in that area. Always be prepared for either.</p>
<p>DS was born and raised in FL. He had no issues at all with winter for his first three years. The dorms and classrooms were kept anywhere from toasty to hot and outdoor time was kept manageable with a warm coat, hat, gloves, boots and the occasional use of long johns.
When he moved off campus his senior year and had a car the snow became an issue. Moving the car for plowing, heating it up before driving, brushing off the snow were all new experiences. Post graduation He has chosen a job in a northern climate, but will be in a city with no need for a car!</p>
<p>"Yes, NORTHERN Indiana, and on the border of Michigan.</p>
<p>It can get down to 0 Degrees in the winters. If you check the weather forecast, it is predicted to be -8 Degrees F (NEGATIVE 8 Degrees) next week."</p>
<p>Well, I’d take it. I’m in Minnesota where the air temperatures are expected to be around 30 below and the wind chills in the 50 to 70 below range early next week. Much of the country will be experiencing atypical cold weather next week. This is a weather EVENT - much like a hurricane, or heat wave. It is NOT typical weather here and 8 below is not typical weather in northern Indiana. The average high temp in Jan. and Feb. is in the low to mid-30’s ABOVE zero, which is quite comfortable. So, as I and most others have said, an insulated jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, and warm waterproof boots will get you through most anything. If it’s a little below zero next week, you probably won’t find many students taking leisurely strolls around the lake, but they shouldn’t have any trouble getting to classes, dorms, dining halls, church, etc. (Our governor did close K-12 schools here on Mon. - can’t have those little kids standing out on the bus stops - but that just goes to show how unusual this weather is.)</p>
<p>^ Fun fact, I read that South Bend was actually colder than the North Pole a couple of days ago (yikes!). But like MinnMa said, that’s highly unusual for Indiana, even in the dead of winter.</p>
Much of the country will be experiencing atypical cold weather next week. This is a weather EVENT - much like a hurricane, or heat wave. It is NOT typical weather here and 8 below is not typical weather in northern Indiana. The average high temp in Jan. and Feb. is in the low to mid-30’s ABOVE zero, which is quite comfortable. So, as I and most others have said, an insulated jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, and warm waterproof boots will get you through most anything. If it’s a little below zero next week, you probably won’t find many students taking leisurely strolls around the lake, but they shouldn’t have any trouble getting to classes, dorms, dining halls, church, etc. (Our governor did close K-12 schools here on Mon. - can’t have those little kids standing out on the bus stops - but that just goes to show how unusual this weather is.)</p>