Dickinson College - Weather

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Central Pennsylvania has four very distinct seasons, and students should bring attire to match any kind of weather. In the winter, it gets pretty cold and snows a decent amount, so be prepared to need snow boots for walking to class. The spring and fall are mildly warm, depending on the type of season the area is having, but it varies from both extremes. Also, never forget your umbrella because you never know when a cloud is going to burst open here! Carlisle is situated in a broad valley of the Appalachian Mountain chain called the Cumberland Valley, and clouds tend to get trapped in the valley and stay for longer periods of time here than they do in the rest of the Central Pennsylvania. This makes Carlisle seem like a very dreary place sometimes because it is often overcast and/or rainy.

Students complain about Carlisle weather constantly, and not too many kids are fond of the local weather patterns, with the exception of the ski club in the winter. The worst months for rain are usually October, March, and April, so make sure you have your rain boots! Whenever it is nice out, students appreciate the weather and take full advantage of it because these days can sometimes be very few and far between.

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Students Speak Out

dson115 says:

One thing they don't mention on... One thing they don't mention on tours is that it rains a lot in Carlisle, since we are located in a valley. Other than that, the weather is pretty temperate and not a big issue. Definitely bring an umbrella and cute rain boots! 12345 Weather: February 20, 2009 Report

DicTB says: Dickinson College 2015 Business

They call this place Car-drizzle... They call this place Car-drizzle instead of Carlisle. It is always raining or sleeting or really windy. Pennsylvania weather is awful. 12345 Weather: February 17, 2009 Report

DicBC says: Dickinson College 2015 Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

It rains a lot, as in at least... It rains a lot, as in at least once a week. 12345 Weather: February 17, 2009 Report

Dicjk says: Dickinson College 2013 Law and Legal Studies

It's Pennsylvania, so it goes... It's Pennsylvania, so it goes through all four seasons. It rains more than it snows, so bring rain boots and a solid umbrella. 12345 Weather: February 17, 2009 Report

DicPK says: Dickinson College 2015 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities

The fall and spring seasons here... The fall and spring seasons here are so nice. During these two seasons my friends and I spend most of our time outside. Once winter sets in, it rains a lot, snows a fair amount, and is very cold. You will definitely want to invest in some wellies before you come—trust me you will want them. 12345 Weather: February 17, 2009 Report

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Rachel Warzala
Hometown: Somerset, NJ
Major: English/Political Science

Rachel is a campus tour guide and a member of the Orientation Committee. So if you decide to come to Dickinson, either to visit or to stay, make sure you say hi

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