Students pray for snow with PJs inside out

When wintry weather is in the forecast, some University of Memphis students call on superstition to bring class-canceling flurries from above.

Coming on the heels of Monday morning's snowfall and the subsequent University closing, Memphis could see up to an inch of snow beginning late tonight, meteorologists predict. The outskirts of a large storm forecasted to travel across southern and central Mississippi could reach the Memphis area, according to the National Weather Service.

In the event of a possible snow day, jazz studies graduate assistant Andre Acevedo said he sends Mother Nature a message in advance.

"I would wear a snow coat and snow shoes all day," he said. "That way, Mother Nature realizes it's time to snow."

Sophomore music major Randy Ballard gets spiritual on the eve of a potential snow day.

"I pray about it," he said. "I get on my hands and knees by my bed and pray for no school."

Freshman special education major Meredith Smith follows another snow day superstition.

"I wear my PJs inside out," she said. "I've been doing it since high school."

Though Memphis is only expected to see up to an inch of snow tomorrow, Jose Pujol, professor of earth sciences, stressed that forecasting the weather is not an exact science.

"Forecasting is very difficult," he said. "I cannot say with any confidence what will happen."

Smith, on the other hand, expressed total certainty in her pajama ritual when asked if she expects it to work tonight.

"It works every time," she said.

Sophomore Spanish major Sadie Stodden said she relied on snow dancing in the past.

"When I was younger, I used to do a snow dance," she said. "I would imitate falling snow and go outside."

Jaded by unsuccessful snow-bringing ceremonies, Stodden has since turned her back on her icy two-step.

"I don't care anymore," Stodden said.

William Zachry, interim chair of the department of psychology, offered an explanation for the students' superstitious ways.

"Superstitions sometimes develop (because of the) coincidence of two things," said Zachry. "They get linked together by chance."

Superstitions also give people the feeling they have more control of their lives, Zachry said.

"They help to explain things we can't explain," he said. "It's more of a comfort thing. They help us think we understand and control our lives."

However, some U of M students said they don't believe in superstitious snow rituals. Senior music major Charles Ray credited his lack of snow day superstition to living in Memphis.

"I feel - since we already had snow this week - we'll never have two consecutive snow days," he said. "That's how it's been in Memphis my whole life."

Sophomore education major Kevin Christopher said he doesn't believe in many snow day superstitions because he always gets let down. Instead, he follows one rule when it comes to snow days.

"I don't get my hopes up," he said. "Every time I get my hopes up, it doesn't snow."