Going abroad for higher studies? It might do you good to treat weather talk as more than just polite conversation.

This column talks about handling climatic changes that are sure to take you off-guard at your university abroad - no matter whether you've managed to gain admission to a university in the US, UK, Australia, Singapore or elsewhere...

WEATHER

Climate is the most variable characteristic of any country. The weather, anywhere in the world is very unpredictable, but since there's nothing you can do to control it, you might as well prepare yourself for it.

It's possible that the weather in the country you are going to, will be a far cry from what you are used to in your home country. As India lies just above the Equator, we are acclimatized to very warm temperatures. Most of us have never even seen snow. However, since you are going overseas to study and will be traveling to the United States, Europe or Australia, it is imperative that you understand the climatic conditions in these countries.

UNITED STATES
The US is a very large country and thus, climatic conditions differ dramatically from one end of the country to the other. Alaska, the northernmost of the states, is perennially snowbound. Other cities in the north like Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Washington, Denver and Minneapolis are also subjected to sub-zero temperatures during winters. Temperatures in the summer aren't very high either.

The climate turns warmer the further South you venture. Indiana, Illinois and New York also experience heavy rains so make sure to either carry raingear or purchase it when you get there. The Eastern states on the other hand - Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina etc - are generally warm and humid throughout the year. The states of California, Arizona and Texas are generally very hot and arid - kind of similar to the Indian conditions.

UNITED KINGDOM
Since the UK is situated closer to the Artic, temperatures in most cities are generally quite low. Once again, the Northern-most parts of UK, especially cities in Scotland (Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh) experience extremely low temperatures (temperatures can fall to 1-2 °C).

Scotland is cloudier than the rest of the UK but rainfall is as heavy or frequent. London is a very unpredictable city, and the climate fluctuates between heavy rains and sunny days. The hottest time of the year is around August, when the temperature can be 30°C and coldest in December, when the temperature averages around 4°C.Carrying raingear is advisable as London (and UK in general) experience frequent showers. The climate in Ireland is quite mild and does not experience extreme temperature. Cold and wet for most part of the year; Ireland also experiences its fair share of storms.

AUSTRALIA
Most of Australia is semi-dry or arid; it is the driest colonized continent on this planet. Northern parts of Australia experience a tropical climate while in the Southern and South-Eastern areas, the climate is quite temperate. For cities that line the coast, the climate changes according to fluctuating ocean currents. However, they are never faced with extreme temperature. Melbourne is a very unpredictable city and is often besieged by unprecedented showers. Temperatures can drop to about 7 °C and rise to around 25-26 °C. Brisbane has a typical tropical climate due to its proximity to the sea. It generally has humid summers and dry winters. From late Spring through to early Autumn, thunderstorms (sometimes accompanied by hail) are common. Sydney fluctuates between warm summers and cold winters. The presence of the coast generally moderates the temperatures so Sydney does not have to deal with extremes. Rainfall is spread throughout the year. Remember, seasons in Australia are reversed - the coldest months are June and July while the warmest temperatures are experienced in the beginning of the year (January and February).

ADVICE...

Read up about the climatic conditions of the city you are going to visit, and carry appropriate, suitable garments. For extremely cold climates, especially of cities that have snowfall, pick up jackets, boots etc from there, as their fabrics will be most suitable for that particular climate. And remember, cottons and linens are most comfortable for warmer climates.