Snow softly covered the ground at Kennesaw State University today as, for the first time in seven years, snow has hit Georgia.
For the first time in three years, Kennesaw State University students got to witness a stunning sight in Georgia: snow falling on campus. The snowfall, which began Friday morning, left campus coated in a stunning layer of snow, fulfilling the dreams of many and proving many skeptics wrong.
The snow transformed campus into a practical playground, with sledding streaks on hills near the Burruss Building and Snowmen filling the Green. Many students enjoyed the outdoor weather, snapping photos and enjoying the beauty of a snow-covered scenery some haven’t seen in years.
The unexpected snowfall was attributed to a rare weather shift explained by an AccuWeather meteorologist during Thursday’s forecast. According to experts, a series of arctic blast hit the eastern United States, causing a drastic drop in temperatures. This unusual cold front created the perfect conditions for snow to form and begin to drop, even in states like Georgia where snowfall has become a rare occurrence.
The day before before the snow fell, students shared their expectations and plans during interviews with The Sentinel, reflecting a mix of excitement and skepticism as they waited to see what would come out of the snowy forecast.
Collier Parker, who was excited for snowfall, expressed his confidence and excitement during the interview.
“I think it is gonna snow,” said Parker. “And I think it will snow, but it doesn’t matter how much it is… But it’s probably not gonna stick cause it’s not too cold for snow [to stick].”
Parker was looking forward to enjoying the weather with a day of sledding: “It’s gonna be so cool. I live on a hill, I’m gonna get a sled and go down the hill. Then, we live near some more open hills so we’re gonna go, sled down them, and it’s gonna be super fun!”
By Friday, Parker’s predictions were true, and there was enough snowfall to successfully sled and enjoy a rare Georgia snowfall.
Carrick Blake also planned to enjoy the weather, sticking to his plan to building a snowman when the snow began to fall.
“I’ll make a nice snowman and call it a day,” Blake said on Thursday. When asked how big he planned to make it, he added, “A pretty big one. If we get as much snow as we’re all thinking, it’s gonna be big.”
And turns out, there were snowmen all around the Campus Green, all with rocks for eyes.
Skeptical students like Salvador Cruz and Carson Chavez shared more cautious views during Thursday’s interviews.
“I don’t think the snows gonna stick, and if it does, it’s not gonna be more than 3 inches,” Cruz said. “Everyone keeps saying 8 or more… I don’t think it’s gonna stick at all, and if it does, it’s probably gonna be just pure ice.”
Chavez echoed Cruz’s skepticism, saying that, “We might get at most, a light little thing of snow, maybe about 2-3 inches. It just doesn’t seem cold enough yet for it to at least stay.”
The snow was around 3-4 inches, not too far off from the duo’s predictions. However, the snow stuck, and was around throughout the entirety of Friday.
The snowfall brought a day of relaxation or recreation for Kennesaw State in the only way one rare weather event could.
While some students stayed indoors, some ventured outdoors to enjoy this rare wintery occurrence. Friday’s snowfall created lasting memories and reminded students of the childish, yet joyful embrace of life’s surprises– even if it’s just a few inches of snow.
