Many students found themselves bundling up in their winter wardrobes Tuesday after waking to the season’s first genuine cold front. Yesterday’s temperature hovered in the 50s and fell after nightfall, according to the National Weather Service. The reached as low as the upper 40s. The chill was a significant departure from Monday, when temperatures peaked at 85 degrees and reached a low of only 60 degrees. Despite the opportunity to show off new fall fashions, student reaction to the climate shift varied. Rusty Verret, chemical engineering junior, said he disliked the falling temperatures. “I’m a cold-natured person, so I like the hot weather,” he said. Verret said the cold weather leads more people to stay indoors, and fewer outside activities means there are less activities for students. He said he also prefers wearing less restrictive warm-weather clothing. Verret concluded the change was not entirely negative, because it means the holidays are approaching. Advertising senior Kristin Craik said she enjoys the colder weather, although today’s chill took her by surprise. “I thought it would be warmer,” she said. Clarke Cadzow, owner of the North Gate business Highland Coffees, said the change in weather doesn’t necessarily impact the cafe’s customer traffic. But it does typically accompany a shift in what customers order; he said less order iced or chilled drinks and more request classics like hot coffee or cocoa. Cadzow said it was also hard to compare yesterday’s results with recent business – despite warmer temperatures, sales were up last week from student customers studying for mid-semester exams. He also suggested customers may be growing excited about the winter season and are more likely to spend. “I think people in general are happier about the cold weather,” Cadzow said. The coldest temperatures of the front may be yet to come: The National Weather Service predicts Thursday night to cool to 43 degrees. In general, temperatures are expected to climb throughout the rest of the week, with a high on Saturday of 75 degrees.
—-Contact Daniel McBride at [email protected]
Students bundle up on first chilly day of semester
October 23, 2007