University of California - MercedWeather Summary

Written by Harini Kompella

Harini Kompella

Hometown

Santa Clarita, California

Major

Human Biology

View all previous student authors

One student put it perfectly: “The weather at Merced is very bipolar.” There have been days where the sky switches between being sunny and cloudy multiple times within a half-hour period. Overall, though, Merced weather corresponds to the seasons. It gets chilly and rains during the fall and winter, and when it rains, it does not just rain—it pours (although there have been some occasions that included light showers). Rain is usually coupled with wind, meaning students need a strong, big umbrella to truly protect themselves, and they need to be prepared to try different ways of holding it. Students agree it is frustrating walking up and down the hill between classes and the parking lot when it is raining, which encourages quite a few students to skip class on those rainy days.

In the summer, Merced gets really dry and hot. Temperatures have gone well above the 100-degree mark. Students do not usually experience the peak times for winter and summer, since that is when school is closed either for winter break or summer vacation. Students taking summer school have told fellow classmates that Merced is much hotter during off-school season and that there is no reason to fuss during the early part of fall semester.