St. Olaf College
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Oles often like to exaggerate when they talk about their winters. It’s a hobby we have. Honestly though, even in southern Minnesota, it gets really, really cold. Students from warmer climates will probably freak out a little during their first winter, but it gets easier as time goes on. There are very few big blizzards, and classes rarely have to be cancelled due to snow, but it can happen. Mostly though, Olaf’s amazing sledding opportunities make it a great place to be in the winter.

As far as clothes go, for midwinter, the real trick to staying warm without looking like you’re entered in a dog-sledding race is layering. A shirt and light jacket or sweater topped off with a wool coat, scarf, and mittens is enough to get you from your room to class and back again without too much trouble. Of course, it isn’t cold all the time. Autumn is pleasant in the day and a little brisk in the evening. When the trees turn and the ivy goes all fire red, the campus is stunningly beautiful. The tail end of the year is typically rainy and in the low to mid 60s. There are, however, a few weeks in April and May when it gets much warmer and sunnier. If you decide to say during the summer, expect lots of heat and humidity. And remember, up on this hill, it really is always windy.

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Weather at St. Olaf College

JFaye

Biology '14

5.0

A+

Beautiful Harry Potteresque Campus

Campus is beautiful during nearly all of the seasons!

Feb 13, 2012

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Weather at St. Olaf College

chindamoua

Registered Nursing (RN) '15

5.0

A+

Weather

Our campus is very small so the weather isn't too much of a bother here.

Jan 16, 2012

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Weather at St. Olaf College

Tapirguy

Languages and Literature '15

4.6

A

Lots of Snow, and It's Gorgeous!

I was looking for tons of snow. Since it's only the second week of September, obviously we don't have any yet, but when I visited in February as a high school student, the campus looked gorgeous. Virtually no motor vehicle traffic is allowed in the main part of campus, so the snow stays pristine, not covered in exhaust and stuff. The dining hall has to buy lots of extra meal trays, since they get borrowed a lot to use for sledding! The really hot weather comes mostly when school isn't in session, but a fan in the dorms is highly recommended just in case. There are two outside webcams on the website, so feel free to check out the weather frequently to see if it's what you'd like.

Sep 14, 2011

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