10F - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - Fall 2004
ANN ARBOR
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There is a joke traded between longtime residents of Michigan -
a tired, worn joke whose telling evokes more groans than laughter. Without fail,
any time University students are forced to change from arctic gear in the
morning to bathing suits in the afternoon, someone usually sighs, "How
about that Michigan weather?" The joke is funny because the sheer repetition
of it - it is impossible to explain to a nonresident how often a dry, hot day
will be followed by one with snow.
Scientifically, this rapid change in weather is caused by shifts in the wind
currents above the Great Lakes that surround Michigan, but scientific expla-
nations aren't very satisfying when the moods of so many students are so.
closely tied to the weather.
For residents of states with more consistent climates, Michigan weather can
be perplexing. Yet, as a result of these shifting winds, Ann Arbor experiences
four distinct, beautiful seasons. Though unnaturally cold, winters
in Michigan are peaceful and quiet the entire campus is usually
blanketed in white with a uniform snowfall. Summers, though
short, are a wonderful relief with their 80 degree days and slightly
humid, starry nights. Spring season may be wet, but the appear-
ance of greens and other colors on the ground after an
entire season of only white is a pleasant shock and easily
compensates for the rain. And a Michigan autumn is, quite
simply, the most perfect season ever.
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Even if Michigan weather can seem to change entire sea-
sons in the 10 minute gap between classes, University stu-
dents learn how to take it in stride and, yes, even enjoy it.
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