For some, winter is the most pleasant, and for others, the most hated season. It all depends on how you look at it – some like the bitter cold, fluffy snow and snow-wrapped landscapes, and someone sees only dirt and cold in winter. But in temperate latitudes, the change of seasons is very pronounced. Interestingly, at the same time, about half of the world’s population has never seen snow in their lives, and most likely will never see it.
Interesting facts about winter
- There are several definitions for winter – calendar, astronomical and climatic. Everything is clear with the calendar – we have December, January and February, and in the southern hemisphere – June, July and August. Our astronomical winter lasts from December 21st to March 21st. Well, climatic winter comes when the average daily temperature drops below zero degrees.
- Sometimes winter can come at the behest of one of the rulers. So, once the favorite of the King of France, Louis XIV, wanted to ride a sleigh in the summer. There were no problems – a snow track of salt and sugar was instantly erected around Versailles.
- European sociologists, in the course of surveys of the population, made curious conclusions – children born in winter have a 16% higher chance of surviving to the 100th anniversary, than everyone else. In addition, such children are more resilient and more likely to achieve high results in sports.
- In 2012, Venice had such a cold winter that the gondolas were trapped in ice and could not move on water. Prior to this, a similar incident was observed in 1985.
- In 1468, wine froze in the cellars of Burgundy due to particularly severe frosts.
- Snowflakes, like people, are always different from each other. Over the years of research, no identical pair has been found (interesting facts about snow).
- Icicles in mid-latitudes grow the largest on the south side of the house.
- The largest snowflake ever fell into the hands of a person, had a diameter of 38 centimeters.
- Now a snowman and a snowman are entertainment for children, but a few centuries ago they were sculpted with the sole purpose of appeasing winter so that it was not so stormy and sharp.
- People who do not like winter – not uncommon, but there are those who are really afraid of her. They do not tolerate cold, they are afraid of snow and even ice. Psychologists classify this as kyonophobia.
- In winter, records are set for the coldest temperatures. So, the coldest thing on Earth was on December 8, 2013 – in Antarctica at the Japanese station, a temperature of -91.2 ºС was recorded.
- If we have winter – December, January and February, then in the southern hemisphere everything is the opposite. There, the calendar winter comes when we have a hot summer. This is true for Australia, New Zealand, Africa and South America (interesting facts about Africa).