Southern California is known for having some of the best weather in the country, with the sun being out almost year round. This never ending summer has caused plenty of residents to become spoiled with the privilege of warm weather and sensitive to anything that leaves sixty to ninety degrees fahrenheit. Citizens from around the state can be found complaining due to the heat in the summer or the chills in the winter, often blowing the situation out of proportion.

    Those who have lived outside of the region concur that this common frustration is largely exaggerated. Senior Christian Cicalini said, “I don’t know why Californian citizens complain about the weather because it’s always sunny.” As an exchange student from Italy, Cicalini has experienced a variety of weather in his home country. He said, “In Italy, we really just have seasons, and not one weather all year round. Our winters get pretty cold and our summers get really hot.” Another student who moved to San Diego from Europe, Junior Gaspard Bason, said, “It feels like there is nothing of anything here, other than heat all day long, all year long and then maybe cold at night. It’s already November and it’s still 75 degrees outside. I want to wear my sweaters and jackets, but I can’t without burning up.”

   UC High Alumnus Zachary Grover, who is majoring in sports journalism at Arizona State University,  said, “I do hear Californians complain about the weather a lot and I’m even guilty of it myself. Whether it is too hot, too cold or too humid, Californians always have something to say when the weather isn’t between 65-75 degrees. The complaining is definitely not justified. Other parts of the United States would kill for our weather and it is a big reason why California is such a big tourist destination.” Living in Arizona, Grover definitely feels the real heat.

   Bason said that the amount of rain and snow in California is very low, and people would complain less if more precipitation would hit California, as they would appreciate times of sunlight much more. However, he acknowledges that this discontent is inherent regardless of where one is. He said, “At the end of the day, it’s in human nature to complain. People are complaining here, and in New York, and even in my home country France. People will always complain about something, and if it is not about people then it will be the weather.” This makes sense, but one might also point out that it hasn’t snowed in the city of San Diego in 55 years, according to the Union Tribune (sandiegouniontribun.com).

   Coming from a city with rainfall year-round, Senior Sophia Rosas agrees that the weather is much more pleasant in Southern California. She said, “It doesn’t get cold down here often, but when it does it isn’t all that bad, especially compared to Chicago.” According to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, the average rainfall in Chicago is 37 inches in a year, while San Diego gets around 12 inches in a year (noaa.gov). San Diegans complain about rain when rain actually rarely falls in the county compared to elsewhere in the United States.

   According to a website about mental health, “Rain clouds continually blocking out the sun can disrupt serotonin and melatonin production. This disruption can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule, which can, in turn, affect your energy levels and mood throughout the day” (healthline.com). Hence, Californians should remain grateful that gloomier weather is much more limited in this region. 

   Although San Diegans should appreciate the weather, some who move here miss having actual seasons. “I like the snow and I love autumn when the leaves fall down. I don’t like it being hot here all year round,” Rosas said. “I’d say my friends and people in general tend to complain about the weather here, even sometimes my parents who are from Chicago, like me.” 

   San Diego is one of the best places to live for those who enjoy warm, sunny weather, despite the complaints made about it. People continue to flock from around the world to live here, to escape the rain and cold. With such excellent luck, this region complains about something they actually take for granted every single day.