Eliza Rowley writes, “Though many of UMF's student body are from Maine (or at least New England), even we locals need a reminder of how to brave the regional winters.”
(Photo credit: Amazon.com)
10/24/2026
Eliza Rowley, Journalism Club Member
As most of you know, winter in the Northern Tier can be unpredictable. Sometimes it's bitter cold; five minutes later it's pouring rain, and forget about the temperature fluctuations. Though many of UMF's student body are from Maine (or at least New England), even we locals need a reminder of how to brave the regional winters. Also, for a little extra fun, I’m going to give you a rundown of what the Farmer’s Almanac predicts is coming our way so you can keep your eyes on the weather channel.
You’ve probably seen The Farmer’s Almanac in your local Tractor Supply or Walmart. They are the little books behind the counter or in the magazine rack with a year on the cover and usually some sort of “farmer” imagery. There are a couple of versions of the Almanac—the one just called The Farmer’s Almanac, which has been publishing issues since 1818, and The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which has been in print since 1793. As for accuracy? Multiple studies have found both almanacs have around a 50% accuracy rate, with Live Science calling the Farmer’s Almanac just slightly more accurate than Puxatauney Phil. Overall, should you use it for set-in-stone weather advice? No. But you shouldn’t use horoscopes for life advice, but here we are. It’s a tradition in my family to take a look at their winter predictions, and I figured it could be a nice little thing to pass on to all of you.
In The Farmer’s Almanac (the 1818 one), they claim the Northeast is in for a “complicated” weather pattern. The article’s writer, Caleb Weatherbee, alleges that “coastal communities could receive more rain or mixed precipitation, while inland areas may be hit by several rounds of heavy, wet snow—particularly during January and February” (Weatherbee). He also predicts that the forecast could be fairly erratic, with the Northeast walking a thin tightrope between snow, sleet, and straight-up rain. He also mentions the possibility of frequent storms and rapid weather changes leading up to them. Since we are in the Western Mountains here in Farmington, I’m guessing we could be in for a snowy, wet season.
Now that we’ve looked at WHAT might happen weather-wise, I would like to pivot to HOW to make dealing with the cold weather a little easier. Below, I have put together a list of eight tips on how to brave the Maine winter–especially since we all got to walk to class in the morning. They are not in any particular order, but feel free to skim through them; take the advice you want, ignore the stuff you don’t. Winter can be a rough time for people, especially with having to walk to classes (or just down to your car in the morning), and having some ideas on how you might go about it more easily can be a small part of helping it be more bearable. And, if you’re anything like me, a good list can be a fun way to digest that information.
1. Since You Can’t Touch Grass, At Least, Get Some Sun
I hate being cold. I really, really hate being cold. But locking yourself in the dorms all Winter is going to drive you crazy. News Center Maine reported in 2021 that around 5-8% of Maine's population suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and Lana Lee of Southern Maine Community College’s advice blog suggested that another 10-15% have some sort of mood issues associated with winter. Call it cabin fever or the Winter Blues; documented evidence shows that being stuck inside throughout the cold months can harm your mental health and well-being. Even if you don’t feel like it, go for a walk into town for coffee, go sledding, take advantage of student discounts, go to Titcomb Mountain to ski, hike the Prescott Field trails, or take your dog for a walk. There are so many things you can do that get you outside in the fresh air for a little while and can help improve your mood.
2. Wear Winter Clothing–Even if It’s Uncool
Yeah, yeah, I know that winter coats are bulky and ruin your outfit. I get that you'd rather walk around in a sweatshirt and sweatpants, pretending you aren’t freezing to death—you don’t run hot, babe, and you don’t win an award for not wearing a jacket. Just put on a coat, or at least a hat. That’s also not saying that winter clothing—especially winter coats—aren’t expensive. Still, many community resources support students by offering clothing at a reduced price or even for free. Check places like the Thrifty Beaver, Facebook for local clothing drives, or pop into thrift stores like the Lion’s Den or Touch of Class. In fact, Lion’s Den is running a sale through the end of the year, giving students 50% off most purchases. I popped in the other day, and they were starting to roll out their winter clothing, with jackets for only $ 10- 15. Gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves are usually cheaper and easier to get your hands on, and in my opinion, nothing beats a good fleece hat and a nice pair of winter gloves.
3. Thick Socks!!!
Continuing the clothing theme, this may be a weird one, but the best way to have a good day is not to have cold, wet feet. If there was one thing I took away from many, many years in Scouts BSA, it was that a good pair of socks can make or break your day. Carry a spare pair of warm socks in your bag or purse to change into during the day, in case you step in a slush puddle or your feet get sweaty from wearing winter boots. If possible, get two types of socks—more dressy ones for events, and thicker, moisture-wicking ones for everyday use. Dry socks can prevent blisters, chills, and general annoyance that can make or break your day. I personally like artificial wool hiking socks I got off Amazon, but there are plenty of affordable options out there.
4. Make Your Own Handwarmers!
Another very specific one. Hand warmers are great to put in your mittens, boots, or coat pockets to keep you comfortable during the harsher parts of winter. I would use Hot Hands every time I participated in the Bangor Parade of Lights. One downside to Hot Hands and other purchasable warmers is the waste and the cost. Most warmers you can buy in-store are single-use and not particularly cheap. Thankfully, with a little sewing (a good life skill to learn!) and some white rice, you can make your own reusable hand warmers that can last a good long time. Take two 4” by 4” scraps of fabric, sewing thread, a sewing needle, and some UNCOOKED white rice—if you want to get fancy, add a bottle of your favorite essential oil. Flip the two fabric pieces so the dull side faces out, then sew three sides together with a running stitch. Next, flip the pocket created right side out and fill the inside with about ½ cup of your dried rice. If you want, add a drop or two of essential oil into the rice. Finally, sew the final side up to keep it closed. Now you have a homemade handwarmer you can pop in the microwave for about 30 seconds to warm up! Just make sure to seal all the edges with your stitches, so that no rice leaks out. After your DIY warmer is toasty, toss it in your jacket pocket to keep your hands comfortable while you brave the weather.
5. Crafts and Events and Sidequests, Oh My!
Just get out there. Hang out with friends, do campus activities, swing by events in town or put on by your CAs, head to Walmart or the library (either one). Don’t sit around rotting in your room—or even your building–all winter. The best thing you can do for yourself, besides getting fresh air and getting off your phone, is to socialize with people. Beating the winter blues is easier with friends! Plus, there’s plenty to do in a college town, more to do if you own a car (lucky). Find your passions—whether you like going to the gym, the movies, or just playing board games in the lounge —have fun with it, and you’ll find you can’t even remember you can’t feel your toes when you walk to class in the morning! Also, I will add, it makes you CAs very happy if you show up to their events, if you catch my drift.
6. Be Mindful of the Wind Chill
Temperature is only half the battle when it comes to braving winter weather. 50 degrees with no wind and 50 degrees with 20mph winds is a very different beast. The wind can get pretty nasty in Farmington, so checking the wind chill on the National Weather Service website (or wherever you get your weather) can help you prepare what to wear before you commit to an outfit. Keeping an eye on the hourly forecast in general is a good idea, along with when sunset is, if you have later classes. It may be nice in the morning when you leave your house, but there are no guarantees that it's the same weather you are getting at 6 PM after the sun has gone down. Either way, if you see that the wind chill is going to drop the temperature, or the wind is going to be strong, pack a scarf or buff to go over your lower face. Another thing that can help with the wind is using chapstick before you go out and making sure to moisturize your face. Overall, just try to keep your exposed skin to a minimum and don’t stay outside in the direct wind for longer than you need to, especially if the wind is bringing the temperature down into the single digits.
7. Pack A Car Winter Kit
Obviously, this only applies if you have a car, but it's still worth keeping in mind for the future. A winter kit in your car is a must in a more extreme climate, like ours. Keep your basic essentials in it, like a first aid kit, flashlight, blanket (or emergency blanket), and a spare pair of hat and mittens. Other things to keep in your car include a small shovel, a bristle brush to clean your windshield, and an extra warm coat in case you forgot one. If you are going to be traveling a considerable distance, make sure you have a pair of comfortable, warm boots in case you have to walk. If you want to get fancy, keep a battery pack in your glove compartment to charge your phone if it's running low. Another more unusual thing that you can keep in your car is a bag of kitty litter. Before you raise your eyebrow, this is for if your car is stuck in a snowbank or has gone off the road due to ice, and you can’t get enough traction to get back on it. Pouring some kitty litter under the back tires of your vehicle can usually get your tires enough grip to be able to pull your car out of the ditch. The most important thing to have, though, is just some extra bottles of water and some snacks. This is a year-round thing, but if you are putting a kit together anyways, you might as well add a couple of bottles of water and some granola bars, in the event you are stuck in your car waiting for a tow.
8. Layering, Layering, Layering
My final advice is simple. Layering is the most efficient way to maximize comfort, since most of us will be coming in and out of buildings all day, whether we are at class, work, or bumming around on a well-earned winter break. Start with a wicking base layer of polyester, nylon, or merino wool—long-sleeve or T-shirt (I am partial to tank tops myself). This helps if you end up sweating under your layers, because it helps you avoid getting chilled later when you are re-exposed to the cold. On top of that, a sweater, sweatshirt, or blazer works well, especially if you plan to be indoors for long stretches and want to shed layers so you don’t overheat. Finally, your last layer should be your winter coat for when you have to brave the icy winds of Western Maine, and don’t want to end up a popsicle before you can make it home.
With that, we’ve come to the end of my tips for surviving winter weather, and a little bit about what to expect from the 2026 into 2027 season. As I said above, take my advice or don’t; I’m just trying to give you some stuff to think about. This is no means an end-all-be-all list, or even a near-complete one. These are just my opinions on what has worked for me in the past, especially since I spent a lot of time outdoors in my teens with the Boy Scouts. In the end, you have to trial and error what works for you, what you think you need, and how much the cold affects you anyway. Most of what works comes down to wearing the proper clothing for the weather, planning ahead, and making sure you have some fun to chase away the winter blues. We’ve got a long winter ahead of us, and you just never know what the Western Mountains will try to throw at us. Stay warm!
