Yesterday's frigid weather and light snow marked a radical change from last December's mild temperatures and warmer winter.
Students who received new outdoor apparel for Christmas found themselves leaving their gifts inside the boxes since they had little need to wear them.
"I got all these cute winter clothes for Christmas and now I can't wear them," first-year College student Kayce McGehee said.
In addition to holding off on coats, jackets and mittens, many students found themselves pulling out summer apparel to keep cool.
"I was wearing shorts for about a week because it was over 60 degrees," second-year College student Richard Murray said.
McGehee also said she was shocked at what she was wearing during her time off. Instead of typical wintry layers, McGehee said, "I had to remind myself when I was washing my car in my bathing suit that [winter] isn't always like this."
While in-state students experienced an overall climate shift during their breaks, not all University students expected cold weather. Even students who returned to their homes outside of Virginia noticed the effects of the moderate weather in Virginia, however.
"I like warm weather," first-year College student Elize Mercer said. "I am from Memphis so I am not used to snow. It's not a tragedy or anything, but I was hoping to come back here and see snow."
With warmer temperatures that prohibited any chance for snowfall, the Virginia Alpine Ski and Snowboarding Team found themselves gearing up for a very stubborn season.
"Usually a couple of us go up during finals week, but I know only two or three kids went because the conditions are so bad," said Drew Wagner, VASST president and fourth-year Engineering student.
Even students who ventured to typically colder climes realized their ski seasons were going to be sub-par.
"I spent the whole break in Maine, but even the weather up there made it difficult to go out," said Christian Hoehner, VASST secretary and second-year College student. "I went up on the mountains and the resorts do a good job of keeping artificial snow on the ground, but it just wasn't the same. It was difficult to motivate myself to go out and practice when it was raining and such."
Skiers and snowboarders who purchased pricey season passes expected to spend quality time on the slopes. The temperate weather prevented them from getting their money's worth, however.
"It's a general annoyance," Wagner said. "Kids would usually go five to 10 times, but recently they have only gone once. It's annoying paying all that money and you don't get a refund; there's really nothing you can do about it."
According to Wagner, the only members of VASST able to currently compete are those who "traveled out West or north to Vermont over break," he said.
Looking toward the upcoming competition season, the members of VASST expect to be limited in the numbers participating due to outdoor conditions.
"Usually we have a week of practice before we begin competitions, but because of the weather we haven't been able to observe new members," Hoehner said last week. "Unless we get some good snow in the next few weeks, there won't be as many chances for people to compete."
While the increase in temperature bothered and confused many students, faculty remaining on Grounds found several benefits in the pleasant weather.
"The warm weather made it easier to heat buildings," Director of Facilities Operations Chris Willis said. "There was not the pressure to keep them warm like there usually is."
In addition, the Grounds crew did not encounter any obstacles to their work which are usually imposed upon by inclement weather.
"When the weather is nice, there is more work we can finish," Willis said. "It's been positive for us because we can continue working outside. You see scaffolding around Pavilion IV -- we can now continue work around this time of year."
The temperate weather conditions, along with allowing crews to work more, changed the demand of maintenance needed on Grounds.
Now that the new term has begun and temperatures have fallen to January norms, students expressed new sentiments regarding the weather.
"I just think it's about time," first-year College student Adis Ljubovic said. "I did enjoy the warm weather, though."
Yet as the University welcomed the first snowfall this past weekend, students once again found new issues to be concerned about.
"People should still be aware of global warming," third-year College student Victoria Walker said. "Just because it snowed doesn't mean the problem went away."
Now that snow has fallen and spring clothing has been returned to the closet, students said they look forward to a long-awaited winter season.
"I'm just happy to see the snow, frankly," third-year College student Dean De La Peña said. "I missed it."
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