Big Rapids and Ferris State are in for a classic Michigan winter week, full of single-digit temperatures with some of the coldest temperatures of the winter season and plenty of snow.
Ferris students will be in for a tough week ahead. The coldest temperatures of the week will come this weekend, while on Saturday, it will be a high of four degrees and a low of -15, with it expected to be around -25 with the intense wind chill to come. Sunday will be no better, with a high of seven and a low of -10.
Automotive engineering technology freshman Evan McDonald spoke about how he prepares before class during these cold temperatures.
“I would typically leave 10 minutes earlier than I would in the spring in case I am snowed in, or my car doesn’t want to start right away,” McDonald said. “I think classes should be cancelled after a certain threshold, for some who drive, these kinds of temperatures can cause cars to resist starting, and to walk in below zero temperatures is miserable, especially for those who have to walk across campus for classes.”
The weather will warm up when Monday comes around, with Monday warming up to 20 degrees and a low of seven and Tuesday having the warmest temperature of the week at a high of 24 and a low of zero.
Cold temperatures aren’t the only thing that will be coming, as plenty of snow will be expected as well. So far this winter season, Big Rapids has recorded 26.6 inches of snow, which is 6.8 inches higher than the average of 19.8 inches at this point in the season.
Psychology freshman Spencer Poritt believes it is crucial to find things to do outside of your dorm or apartment during these cold and snowy times.
“I think the most important thing is finding ways to get outside of your dorm or apartment,” Poritt said. “It is easy to get cooped up inside, but finding somewhere else to go, whether it be in the Rec center, the library, or even a friend’s dorm or apartment. It just helps make life much more fun when you can’t go outside and have fun.”
Even though all this inclement weather is ahead, do not expect a snow day, as Ferris State is known for not calling many snow days. Approximately in the last 15 years, Ferris has had only about five snow days.
From 2013-2018, Ferris had only had one snow day, which came in 2013, but in 2019, Ferris had two snow days in the same week on Jan. 28 and Jan. 30, with the next snow day coming around 5 years later in 2024, when campus closed on Jan 12 and Jan 13.
In 2025, there was only one snowday which was on Jan. 21st, due to heavy snowfall.
Business analytics senior Teddy Fanco gave his opinion on what to do when these storms are in the forecast.
“Stock up on items from the store,” Fanco said. “Try to preemptively buy whatever you need whenever you see cold, snowy weather on the forecast. You don’t want to put yourself in a position where you need to leave to get something when you could have gotten it earlier.”
Make sure to stay warm, bundled up, and stay safe during the cold front to hit the campus in the coming week.