AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: From Texas heat to Central New York snow
Maddy Osborne: As temperatures drop across Central New York, people are shifting from spooky season to snow season. Syracuse University junior, Sofia Westerman from Houston, Texas, says the winters are not as bad as she originally thought.
Sofia Westerman: I think I’ve gotten a little, I’ve gotten used to it. I feel like especially like once you are in the midst of it you just wear your big puffer jacket or like multiple layers.
Osborne: For people like Sofia, it’s not just about bundling up, it’s about learning tips and tricks to survive the Central New York winters.
Westerman: My favorite thing is earmuffs. So I have a pair of like Bluetooth earmuffs and those are awesome.
Osborne: While longtime residents know what’s coming, for newcomers, the first real cold snap after Halloween is a wake up call. Prompting residents to put their costumes away, and bring the earmuffs out. Maddy Osborne, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – After Halloween, the fun might be over, but the cold is just beginning. Temperatures are dropping across Central New York, and residents are trading pumpkins for parkas. For residents from warmer states, like Texas, the change can be a big adjustment.
Sofia Westerman, a resident originally from Houston, Texas, has spent several winters in the Syracuse area and says the cold isn’t quite what she first imagined.
“Everyone told me my first winter was going to be really bad,” Sofia says. “But it barely snowed my first year. It was really cold and rainy, which I wasn’t expecting. Back home, rain is lukewarm and humid, and here it’s freezing.”
After living in the area for a few years, Sofia says she’s learned how to adapt.
“I think I’ve gotten used to it,” says Sofia. “I feel like especially like once you are in the midst of it you just wear your big puffer jacket or like multiple layers.”
Winter in Syracuse isn’t just about cold and snow. Sofia says the wildlife is one of the more surprising parts of living in Central New York.
“I see things here I’d never see in Texas: black squirrels, deer, groundhogs. It’s so funny. At home, when I wake up, I see armadillos.”
These little surprises remind newcomers that Syracuse winters are about adapting to a whole new environment, not just the temperature. From layering up to spotting wildlife, residents like Sofia are slowly learning the rhythm of Central New York winters. While it can be challenging at first, the city provides plenty of tips, tricks and surprises, helping newcomers adjust and even enjoy the season.