It’s the end of February, and there are no signs of the horrific weather in the south of the United States stopping anytime soon. Ever since the wintertime, people around the US have been battling snow and ice every single day for 4 months straight. Families have been impacted by the extreme chills and snow in more ways than one. Even Californians are experiencing more rain, temperature drops, and a large amount of snow in the mountains. Cases of hypothermia and frostbite have been on the rise lately as well. But, how could this affect people around the world, and Tartars on campus?

Ever since cold warnings have been issued throughout the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world, many people have been on edge. This extreme cold weather is extremely dangerous, and for many, it could even be deadly. So far, as many as 40 states out of 60 in the US have been significantly affected by this extremely chilly weather. The National Weather Service advises that people living in extremely cold zones must constantly watch out for potential dangers tied to the ice and snow. (https://www.weather.gov/dlh/extremecold). Piping inside many houses can freeze if not properly insulated or if water is not flowing through them. If they get cold enough, those pipes can burst, spilling frozen water inside homes and causing massive water damage. Additionally, driving can be dangerous as well. Flurries and fog can impair drivers’ sight, and ice on the road can make cars slip into obstacles and total the vehicle, or kill the driver. Homeless people are also one of the most susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite, as many do not have the means to keep themselves warm during this time. However, humans are not the only ones affected by this nasty weather.

Not only are people affected, but animals and plants are too. Around the globe, farmers must protect their crops, especially citrus plants, from freezing to death. Keeping crops warm is an expensive investment, as it involves covering and shielding them from the elements with a cover or a greenhouse. Stray animals also have a hard time finding places to hide from the subzero temperatures. In the city, there are not as many safe places that critters can find, and in wicked cold temperatures, that amount decreases significantly. Many big animals, such as raccoons, find shelter in the sewers, and when winter rolls around, frozen water can pose a huge risk not only to them, but other stray animals who might be flooded out of the ground or washed away. Additionally, many pet owners believe that their animals are safe in the cold if they have a thick hide or lots of fur. This belief can cause many dogs and cats to have frostbitten paws. This can affect the animal’s health later in life as well, as damage to its legs can mean impaired mobility later in life. Even if many of the students on campus have not experienced the dangers of snow before, there are significant dangers that come with the rainy season California has experienced.

Even though many Tartars on campus have only dealt with chilly rains, that doesn’t mean that caution should be thrown to the wind when experiencing colder weather. The National Weather Service warns that hypothermia is a real risk that can kill if people are not careful, especially in these recent subzero temperatures. (Extreme Cold Warning vs Watch and Cold Weather Advisory) Even though many girls around campus wear cute, exposed tops and chic jeans, bundling up can help prevent suffering from a cold. Boys also need to pull up and stop sagging their pants to avoid frostbite on their butt. Despite Tartars not living in frigid environments, students can still prevent temperature-related illnesses just by making small changes when it gets colder. California is not always sunny after all.