Residing in the middle of the southeastern states, Georgia's weather is one to behold; it can be cloudy and cold one day, the next day it's in the high 70s, then the next it's pouring rain! Georgia's notorious for its "bipolar" weather and its inhabitants definitely do not know how to deal with it sometimes.
1. Everyone freaks out when we see one flake of snow.
Schools send out their closing notices upon hearing the news of potential snow hitting the area the next day... and then no snow actually falls. Also, everyone tends to freak out when we get a little snow, even if it doesn't stick to the ground.
2. Actually, the entire state pretty much shut down during the "Snowpocalypse of 2014."
Schools were shut down for weeks and the entire state went under a state of emergency because Georgia wasn't prepared for a few inches of snow! The state was having trouble keeping ice off the roads (because people still demanded to drive in this kind of weather) and grocery stores were empty because everyone stocked up on milk and bread.
3. You never know how to dress for the day.
It will go from cold in the mornings to hot at the end of the day, so wearing layers will only get you sweaty by the afternoon! A jacket is smart to bring, but should you wear shorts or pants? You never know in Georgia!
4. If it's cold at the start of the week, then be prepared for heat at the end of it.
This week, Sunday and Monday didn't get above 50 degrees -- it was cold for Georgia. But suddenly Tuesday rolls around and it's 70 degrees again, and the rest of the week only gets hotter!
5. The summer ranges from hot temperatures to blazing temperatures.
Georgia summers are merciless; the sun is always blaring down on you when you're outside and the weather is consistently 90 to 100 degrees. It's terrible!
6. The humidity during the summer.
Georgia is one of the most humid states in the U.S. and you feel it in the summer. Don't think you're going to go outside and not sweat during the summer, and your hair will be a mess by the end of the day.
7. It's always going to rain on the days that you aren't prepared for it.
Have to dress nicely that day? Better bring an umbrella, because even though it looks sunny outside, as soon as you step out clouds will appear and it will start pouring rain.
8. 50-degree weather isn't as bad as other states, but everyone still dresses as if we're in the arctic.
"OMG, it's so cold!" You'll frequently hear this on campus when November rolls around. Everyone dresses like an Eskimo for chilly weather. We're so used to the blazing heat that stays until mid-September, then the nice 60-degree weather until November. So when moderately cold weather hits, all of Georgia is stunned!
9. No one can drive in the rain... but they still try.
Georgia – specifically Atlanta – is the home to some of the worst drivers. Some of them are terrible even during totally dry, totally sunny weather. But during rain? You should drive more carefully during rainy days, but that piece of advice totally floats over some heads. They still will drive crazily during the craziest weather, so be warned the next time you're driving through the city on a rainy day!
10. When it rains, it's going to be windy.
There's never any sort of still rain in Georgia. Pouring rain is always coupled with harsh wind, so your umbrella just might prove worthless in this weather: It'll turn inside out with the first gust of wind and all of that wind is going to push the rain onto your body underneath the umbrella anyway. If you can, just stay inside all day!
11. Occasionally, you get to have a perfect day.
There are these rare days where you get the perfect temperature and perfect weather. Treasure those days. In fact, cherish them because they're so rare! Georgia is so nice the days where you're not having to deal with radically changing temperatures as the day goes on or dramatic weather.
Georgia may have unpredictable weather, but it's still our home. We just have to learn how to put up with its bipolarity!