As the seasons change, we look forward to hotter days, longer hours and more sunshine. In Moscow, however, Mother Nature doesn’t allow this shift to be so simple. Over the last week, we have been experiencing something called the “second winter.”
Second winter is often referred to as the second coming of winter after a warm period. In Moscow, there was a lot of sunshine and warm weather bringing a false sense of hope for spring. Once students got back from break, however, they were hit with snow, ice and sludge.
What does the second winter mean for Moscow?
In the coming weeks, the temperature will be less than 30 degrees in the mornings, but will warm up by the afternoons, revealing clear blue skies. Students may have to dress for all kinds of weather in a span of 24 hours.
Winter weather can significantly contribute to seasonal depression. As someone who experiences it, the constant transition from chilly winter blues to sunny spring weather can feel exhausting.
The shifting seasons also bring allergies and sickness across campus, with many students already absent from class due to illness.
During second winter, staying productive and maintaining a positive mood may seem difficult, especially after those three short weeks of sunshine, which replenished fallen spirits. The campus was filled with smiles and hope from the warm and welcoming weather, motivating students to learn and engage in their classes. Now that it’s passed, morale has lowered once more. We can only hope for second winter to pass quickly so our campus can return to the lively place it’s meant to be.
Lexie Yates can be reached at arg-life@uidaho.edu.