<p>I've looked up the average temperatures, precip levels, etc. in Greenville during the winter months, but wondered how this translates into winter clothing. The heaviest thing my daughter wears here in NCal in winter is a sweatshirt or sweater over a t-shirt. What kind of jacket does she need to bring? What about hats/gloves/scarves/boots? Is a raincoat/windbreaker useful? How many months of the year do you actually wear long pants and long sleeves?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help! I keep telling her she needs something other than shorts and flip-flops, but she doesn't believe me. :)</p>
<p>Greenville definitely has a true winter season, though perhaps not as long as the Northeast, Midwest or Rocky Mountains. I believe you daughter will be fine with a sweater/sweatshirt until the time around Thanksgiving. It will get chilly -lows in the upper 40’s in early November. By the time our kids went back from Thanksgiving break, they took a light coat and some sweaters. At Christmas holidays, I would plan to send a coat to keep your D warm enough through days in the 30’s-low 40’s and lows in the 20’s. There were at least 2 occasions last winter when several of the fountains froze-according to our two. </p>
<p>Be sure to send a raincoat and rain boots-my D thought the rain boots made life more pleasant for getting to classes, student center, etc. I am sure other Furman parents will have some great suggestions-DD used one of the 3/4 length winter coats and was warm enough during the coldest periods. DS had a double layer “flight jacket” which worked well. You are correct-shorts and flip flops are fine-but she will definitely need a larger variety of clothes. Don’t forget a nice sundress or two for the "shoe dance: and MyTie party that are a tradition during freshman orientation. </p>
<p>Just looked at your post again-I would say November-March are long pants with some type of sweater over blouse/or T. Feel free to PM me if I can be of more help.</p>
<p>Georgiatwins–Thank you, your advice is so helpful! I’ve heard from several people that raingear is a good option. We’ll definitely start looking for a winter coat, too.</p>
<p>I think kids don’t realize how much they will be outside at college, walking to class, dining hall, library, etc, no matter what the weather is! In hs, it’s easy to stay inside until the weather improves. I’ve been trying to impress upon my daughter that in college, if you have class at 10 am and it’s pouring rain or 10 degrees outside, too bad–you have to go out in it to get to class on time (and thus need appropriate gear to get there).</p>
<p>We thought coldish weather was an anomaly in Greenville, but is sounds as though winters are colder and longer than they are here. Thanks so much for your help!</p>
<p>We moved to Greenville from NoCal/SF area. I don’t wear a winter coat much more often than I wore one in SF. We usually get one snow, lasting a few hours, each a year that stays on the the ground for a few days. People take their snow very seriously here but even in a “snow heavy” year, it won’t snow more than twice in a three month period. This past year we’ve had a lot of rain, compared to the previous draught years. Yes, we have a few freezes but most everything thaws by the afternoon. Ice storms can be dangerous but everything closes and most people stay off the roads. </p>
<p>My son wore long pants to high school maybe 20 days in 4 years. Rest of the time, shorts, tees and a sweatshirt. </p>
<p>Here’s how Greenville has a true winter, unlike NoCal: the trees change colors and the trees are barren in the winter, so it has a winter “feel” but the winter is mild, most of the time.</p>
<p>I apologize if this is a highjack of the thread but I have a question about the summer weather in Greenville. My daughter will be attending the Summer Scholar Program at Furman next Sunday and will be there for 2 weeks. I know July in Greenville will be hot but is it also very muggy? Also, does it normally rain a lot in the summer months? Sorry for the weather ignorance but we live in Connecticut. She has to start her packing this week (and she gets to learn how to do laundry!) so I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions for our packing. Thank you so much!</p>
<p>BobbyCT-You are correct-Greenville is very hot in the summer and usually very humid. We live in the Atlanta area and DS was just in Greenville to meet up with some friends for drive to Charleston-he reported that humidity was really bad. Rain fall is harder to predict-the area is just coming out of a severe drought for the past 12-18 months. I just checked the 14-21 day forecast for the area through NOAA/climate prediction center and the Weather Channel. Average temps in Greenville for this time in July- Highs: 89-90 Lows: 69-70. NOAA is predicting above normal temps and below normal precip. during time your daughter is at Furman. I would pack lots of shorts, tee’s, camisoles, and some capris or pair of jeans. Flip-flops are definitely the shoe of choice from what I saw this time of the year. Be sure to pack insect repellent, sunscreen, and swimsuit-FU has incredible work-out facilities with pool ( if summer scholars get to take advantage of facility?). If students make a trip to mountains ( less than hour away) then she might want to pack a sweatshirt since it can get cool in the evening. I know she will have a great time. Good luck with packing!</p>
<p>I have pictures of my D & her friends sledding freshman year! Yes, it can & does snow. It’s nothing like our Michigan winters, but a warm coat is necessary.</p>
<p>I have to say that while Greenville is hot in the summer, it’s not as bad as other southern cities … such as Augusta, Atlanta, Nashville.</p>
<p>We are in Greenville now and the weather, at least the temperature, has been great. A few scattered thunderstorms here and there but not too bad, better than expected. The Furman campus looks great, better than our last visit in April. More flowers blooming. I forgot what a beautiful campus it is. My D will have the good fortune of spending the next 2 weeks there for the Summer Scholars program. Lucky</p>
<p>My D did not bring anything warm initially. However, when the wet and crisp mornings began she realized that she needed more than a sweatshirt. So, a care package of warm & rain boots, northface rain and fleece plus hat, scarf and gloves were requested. She especially needed these items when she went to the mountains with her seminar group. She said all were very jealous as she was so prepared for the cold while everyone else had only a sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. The biggest issue for all the kids is the closet constraints, so I would highly recommend a lot of thought be put into closet organization. One thing we did utilize to help with this was space bags. Vacumn suction can be obrained from dorm maintenance personnal. The other items we used were 9 slot shoe boxes which we placed on the top shelf of closet, also had a 12 hook purse snapstrap that hooked on the wall and a ring hanger for all her belts. And don’t forget the felt covered hangers, they are slimmer and the clothes stay on them. Hope these suggestions help.</p>