What is the weather like at RIT? As someone who has lived in a very hot and humid country for the last 14 years, Rochester is quite the polar opposite of that. One of the things I quickly noticed was how fresh the air is and how beautiful the nature is, especially around campus. To my surprise, the weather here has been very unpredictable, and nature reflects that a lot. If you’re wondering what it’s really like to live here, let me give you a breakdown of the past three months here in Rochester.
August and September
I first arrived here in mid-August when the days were hot, and every tree was bright green. I absolutely loved how warm it was. It was the perfect weather for wearing your summer outfits (I might have overpacked summer clothes). The sun here is quite strong; it almost feels too close. When I lived in Dubai, the sun didn’t feel as hot, but the air was very moist and hot. The temperature can range from as high as 87°Fahrenheit (or 30°Celsius) to as low as 63°Fahrenheit (or 17°Celsius). In my opinion, August to September is the perfect time to go outdoors and explore what Rochester has to offer. This might be a good time to visit Niagara Falls. The campus is especially lively during this time with all the outdoor seating areas. Plus, don’t forget to attend the campus tradition of FallFest!
October
October marked the start of Fall, as the leaves changed colors into shades of beautiful hues of red and orange. This has been my favorite time of the semester. The weather cooled down, and the Halloween season kicked off. This time is perfect for a trip to the pumpkin patch and the apple orchard. I visited Wickham Farms in Penfield, which had an array of activities to do in October. The weather allows you to enjoy the light breeze and sunny days (if it doesn't decide to rain). The temperature can range as high as 87°Fahrenheit (or 30°Celsius) and as low as 32°Fahrenheit (or 0°Celsius). Overall, October was one of those months where it sometimes rained, and some days it was just warm enough to enjoy the outdoors. This is when you’ll need to stock up on sweaters and jackets because it can get chilly.
November
The month of November has had the most unstable weather so far. We saw the first snowfall on November 9th. Winter came quite early this year. I was unprepared to see snow this early, but it was quite the experience to watch. I hadn’t seen snow in 14 years, so my roommate and I took the opportunity to go outside to capture and enjoy the moment. RIT students were loving it, and mini snowmen were spotted around campus the next day! One thing to keep in mind is how quickly it gets dark out. Not to mention, daylight saving time already happened earlier in the month. At five o’clock in the evening, it’s already dark!
Closing Note
On that note, “It’s only going to get colder” is what everyone used to say, and boy, did I notice when it arrived. It helped that I was prepared to layer up. That’s my take on Rochester weather at RIT and how you might want to spend your days and prepare for the constant temperature changes. Stay safe and keep warm!
About the author
Hi! I’m an undergraduate Global Scholars Student from the RIT Dubai campus studying at RIT NY for a year. Originally from Kyrgyzstan and growing up in Dubai, I would say that I'm a third culture kid. Growing up in such a diverse environment, I’m always looking to meet new people and learn more about people and places. I’m on an exciting journey as RIT NY is becoming my home.
