After the season of humid summer temperatures, cool fall weather may be gratefully welcomed by many. By this point in the season, school has been in session for a bit, football is in full swing, and you may even find yourself oddly longing for the warm temperatures that summer provided not so long ago. If you have been here for the winter season, you know that Grand Forks shows no mercy. With wind chills well into the negatives, blowing snow, and frequent blizzard conditions, it is natural to get a chill up your spine just thinking about it. If you have not been here for a winter season, here are a few tips and tricks to know to succeed, and quite frankly, survive.  

Perhaps the most crucial component to proper winter preparation is the winter coat. You may come to college with a winter coat that worked well for other winters, but I can guarantee you will always want a bigger and better coat during your wintertime in Grand Forks. In my freshman year of college, I inherited a down-filled parka that goes below my knees, accompanied by a large, fluffy hood and a zipper that, when fully zipped, comes all the way up to my nose. A long parka is a very important component to staying warm with the brutal winter winds.  

Next, you will want a good pair of boots. Winter boots are important in keeping your feet warm and also in keeping your feet dry in excess amounts of snow. Here in Grand Forks, there is usually at least a few inches to a few feet of standing snow at all times. Walking to class, going to clean off your car, and running errands can be a lot more comfortable with a good pair of winter boots. My personal favorites are Sorel’s. Last Christmas, I was given a pair of water-resistant Sorel boots that have served me well during the winter season. In addition to boots, hats and mittens are also vitally important. Though it may be a given, owning a pair of nice mittens is essential here in Grand Forks. I prefer mittens over gloves so that my hands can stay extra warm and often couple them with hand heating packs when I have to be outside for a while.  

 Lastly, you will want to prepare yourself by preparing your car. Owning a good ice scraper is more important than most mention. No one wants to be stuck using a credit card to scrape ice off your windshield. By owning an ice scraper and brush, it will be easier to eliminate extremely persistent ice that seems to always coat windshields. In addition to ice scrapers, you will want a pair of jumper cables. With Grand Forks’ terribly cold temperatures, there is no guarantee that your car will want to start. You will not only want a pair of cables, but also be comfortable using them to ensure your safety and have a back-up in case your car does not start immediately.  

 While these are just a few important components of your comfort during the winter season, there are many other methods of surviving a true Grand Forks winter. As you go throughout the winter, try to find what works best for you, your safety, and your comfort. This winter should not be too bad as it is projected to be mild, but then again, that is what they said last year.  

Sadie Blace is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].