Sadly, as it does every year here in Hoboken, winter is coming. The cool breeze coming off the Hudson river, the sun setting before 5 p.m. every day, and fatigue from finals set in as quickly as the chills from the wind. However, it is vital to understand how to stay warm and safe during the year’s colder months—especially with Stevens’ infamous Howe wind tunnel. From what to wear for different conditions to recognizing potentially dangerous wintery conditions, here is a quick guide to the frozen wonderland of Stevens from a native New Englander.
Knowing what to wear on frigid days is the first defense from the bitter cold. The most vital thing to get is a long, insulated, water-resistant, windproof coat. Such attire will be essential in stopping the cold, wind, snow, rain, and other nastiness that Castle Point may cough up on any day. A ski jacket can be a substitute, but it is not as warm or windproof in most instances.
Another essential item of winter attire is a pair of boots: winter, water-proof, easy-to-walk-in boots with good traction. These will save most from a nasty slip on the Wittpenn walk or a wet pile of slush outside Edwin A. Stevens (EAS). It will snow, and those without good boots will be in class with wet, soggy feet. An add-on to the boot idea: knee-high, wool socks. Good socks will add another layer of warmth and keep your feet dry.
Above all, the most important is layering. Nothing will be more protective than socks and knee-high under boots with long johns under snow pants and a shirt with a thermal pullover under a winter jacket.
Now that you are warm and cozy beneath a bajillion layers, it is time to discuss what to know before leaving your dorm or apartment. The most important: knowing what it is like outside. The difference between 30ºF with 30 mph winds and snow is a world away from a sunny 30ºF with no wind. Wind chills can be horrible, especially if you do not know of them in planning your layers.
Another horrid aspect of winter in Hoboken is the ice. With hills and getting dark early, there are plenty of opportunities for ice to form and be hard to notice. Be careful when you cannot see the ground under the snow or it is too dark. Additionally, black ice is thin, clear ice that could be hard to see. A good rule is to avoid any areas that appear wet or shiny, but it is still possible to fall on slippery walkways or roads.
The most important lesson to take away from this is to be careful. It is better to be too warm and remove a layer rather than be too cold with nothing else to put on. Be careful when it can be slippery, and plan.
Be First to Comment