Sunshine sweeps across Southern California

Last week, legendary groundhog Punxsutawney Phil declared six more weeks of winter. Southern California appears to have ignored his forecast.

California winters are typically more mild than in colder regions, but January stunned residents with turbulent winter weather. Gusty winds, record rainfall and deadly flooding killed 22 people up and down the Golden State, the L.A. Times said.

However, at the flip of the calendar month, February has offered a glimpse of the spring season. Blooming trees and rays of sunshine have unleashed a sense of spring fever.

“There’s no better feeling than walking outside to a sunny day.” said Ben Meyers, a freshman studying business administration.

Meyers, who is originally from Philadelphia, said he was shocked by the wave of beautiful weather, especially in February.

“In Philly, it’s most likely just going to be bitterly cold and probably not even going to snow that much,” Meyers said. “It’s just going to be brutal.”

Students said that one of the most charming appeals about USC is its location and the sunny Southern California weather. For freshman engineering major Monira Alkidim, who journeyed to USC from Kuwait, the sunshine reminds her of home.

“Because we have harsh winters and harsh summers,” Alkidim said. “So this is like in the middle — it’s nice.”

Western New York, currently under a high wind warning, stands out as one of the coldest places during winter. Elisa Xia, a junior studying communication from New York, said she loves the sunny weather.

“Whenever I’m looking for housing. I’m always looking for a spot that has good sunlight because it just energizes me,” Xia said. “I used to live in a Gateway — there was never any sunlight coming in because my unit was facing the parking structure, so I felt like I was living in a dungeon.”

Sitting outside on a beautiful day, to many, is medicine for the soul. Just being outside can be extremely refreshing, boosting one’s mood significantly according to the American Psychological Association. Sunshine likely links to increased serotonin, the neurotransmitter associated with happiness and satisfaction, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Extreme heat, however, correlates with acts of aggressive behavior, acts of domestic violence and the development of unhealthy coping mechanisms, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

The February sunshine seems to be having a positive effect.

“When I get out of class in the afternoon, it’s nice to be able to lay on campus. It makes me more inclined to be on campus, than stuck in my apartment,” Ella Bittman, a junior studying public relations, said. “Whenever I call [my parents], they’re very jealous that I get to be in the sun all day long.”

Rainy days seem to shock Southern California residents. That’s because nine out of 10 days in Los Angeles are dry. On average, Downtown L.A. only sees 36 days of wet weather a year, according to the Weather Channel. In contrast, rain puddles form three to four times more frequently in places like Chicago and New York.

Temperatures have dropped to the low 20s in parts of Idaho and Wyoming. Southern states join California in relishing the sunshine. Temperatures in Atlanta today clocked in at 70 degrees. Birmingham, Alabama residents are enjoying a 73-degree day.

Back on campus, temperatures do make a difference for students.

“I’m a person that the weather affects me a lot, and it being sunny makes me really happy,” Maggie Hedera, a sophomore studying public relations, said. “It makes me want to be outside. I love just sitting on campus and it gets my day going.”