Emergency items to keep in your backpack for the Berkeley weather
No matter how long you’ve been a student here at UC Berkeley, whether it be four years or only a few months, you’re probably aware of the fact that Berkeley weather has quite the mind of its own. One day it’s pouring rain and humid, then the next it’s 99 degrees and bitterly dry outside. And oftentimes, we experience various climate and weather patterns all within the very same day. But, even though the weather may be overwhelmingly unexpected throughout the day, we at the Clog have learned to carry a few essentials in our backpacks at all times to make sure we’re prepared for whatever the Berkeley weather will be throwing our way. Without further ado, here’s our list of emergency Berkeley weather essentials to hold onto at all times. Get your backpacks ready, Bears!
- An umbrella. Last month, it rained while it was sunny and humid out, only the day after one of Berkeley’s hottest heat wave in years. So you really never know when water will be coming your way.
- A rain poncho. Just because it rains doesn’t mean it’s only going to lightly drizzle. Expect powerful monsoon-like showers every now and then that require a poncho large enough to cover your entire body and backpack (to protect your belongings).
- A fan. This one is for the days when it gets so unbearably hot that the only way you’re able to survive is by being that person in your lecture blowing a portable fan over your professor’s voice.
- A water sprayer. On a hot day, sometimes we’d simply rather spray our faces and bodies with a cool mist of water instead of directly hydrating by drinking it. We know, we’re extra like that. But, think of trying it, because it definitely helps (and it’s just fun to do).
- A snowsuit. Say what? Yeah, we know it doesn’t snow in Berkeley. But we’re at the point where pretty much anything could happen, so better safe than sorry.
- A foghorn. As Berkeley students, we often enjoy crossing streets when we’re not supposed to. When we’re crossing the street, what better way to warn incoming traffic than with a loud, blaring foghorn? Nothing, honestly.
- Ice cream. While this would unfortunately require you to carry an ice chest in your backpack as well, sometimes there’s nothing that revives us more on a hot day than a quick scoop of ice cream. But hey, we promise it’ll be worth it.
- Sunscreen. Whether it’s pouring rain and still sunny out or simply so hot out that you can feel the sun’s rays seething into your skin, sunscreen will forever and always be your friend. We know we sound like your mom, but you’ll thank us later.
- A can of beans. Beans, beans, the magical fruit, they’ll save you when there’s no more loot. Sometimes it’s so windy that it knocks the power out for a few hours, making it too dark and sketchy to go outside, while other times it’s so hot that stores’ refrigerators and freezer stop working. This is where the beans come in. Yeah, they’ll make you toot, but at least you won’t be hungry.
- A tent and sleeping bag. Often times it can get so cold inside that you almost need to create a whole new room insulated with warmth. This is where a tent and sleeping bag come in. Whether you’re cramming for your midterm in Main Stacks or taking a relaxing break in your own dorm or apartment, set up these items and you’ll immediately feel ten degrees warmer (and you’ll be able to get some major alone time too).
While we at the Clog sadly can’t predict the weather for you, we hope these essentials will help make the climate a bit more Bear-able.
Contact Chloe Lelchuk at clelchuk@dailycal.org.