There's Snow Place Like Home

Recent Snows Affect Drake Students

by by Jess Cobble

Des Moines, Iowa (Feb. 4, 1997)--The groundhog did not see his shadow this year, but that does not mean winter's presence is no longer felt. Approximately 6 inches of snow fell on Drake University Monday night. The snow was welcomed by some and spurned by others.

"I like snow because it's fun to play in," Josh Zeigler (AS1) said, "Last night we had a huge snowball fight. About 15 of us went out. We played in the snow and got everybody wet. It was great fun."

Carla Rajkowski (BN1) was also involved in this particular snowball battle. She was not completely satisfied with the participants in the fight, especially those from places other than the Midwest. "The people who don't have snowball fights as often are a little weak," she said.

Rajkowski is from Wisconsin, and she said the snow reminds her of home. Allison Enright (AS1) is also a Midwest native. "I've always lived where there is snow," she said, "I can't imagine a winter month without it. It would suck to live in summer all the time."

Geography plays a big role in determining how much snow a particular locale will receive. Snow crystals form when water vapor is deposited on tiny particles called ice nuclei. Ice nuclei are found in clouds where the temperature is below freezing, 32 F. Then the snow crystals combine to form snowflakes. Average temperatures in Des Moines in January and February range from 13 F to 35 F, making conditions ideal for snowfall.

Conditions are not ideal in Dallas, Texas. That's where Kelly Young (J1) resided before coming to Drake. "I like snow," she said, "It's pretty and fluffy. It's not like the slushy stuff we have at home."

The sloppy conditions that occur during a snow melt seem to be the biggest problem students have with snow. They did manage to scrounge up a few other gripes, though. "I'll admit that a great deal of fun can be had with winter sports," Matt Jensen (J1) said, "They take me back to my childhood. However, the ridiculously low temperatures aren't compensated by the fun."

Enright expressed her disapproval of the university's snow removal procedures: "I don't understand why Drake uses sand instead of salt. Sand does nothing." Enright added that the sand will slide around, and she pointed out that Drake does not clear the sidewalks until after students have already gone to class.

Snow is also not welcome during times of illness. "It's slippery," Young said, "so if you're sick and dizzy you shouldn't walk on it." Snow can indeed cast a darker gloom on a sickness. Cold weather and snow keeps people in bed and discourages travel. Getting to and from airports, as well as taking off and landing, become much less trivial when ice is abundant. Long drives and driving at night also become riskier, leaving some students wandering whether or not they will get to go where they want to.

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