Winter is the coldest season of the year, falling between autumn and spring.
The start date of winter varies according to climate, tradition and culture, but when it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it is summer in the southern hemisphere, and vice versa.
In many regions, winter is accompanied by snow and freezing temperatures.
In the Northern Hemisphere winter lasts from the Winter Solstice (ranging between 20 and 22 December) to the Vernal Equinox (ranging between 19 and 21 March). In the southern hemisphere, winter lasts from June to September.
According to meteorologists, winter extends for three months December, January and February in the northern hemisphere and three months June, July and August in the southern hemisphere. According to meteorological determinations, all seasons are arbitrarily assigned to begin at the beginning of a calendar month and end at the end of a month.
The lowest temperature ever recorded at Vostok Station in Antarctica. On July 21, 1983, it was -98.2 degrees Celsius (-128.6 Fahrenheit)!
Some of the other coldest countries in the world are Russia (specifically Siberia), Finland and Mongolia.
But what are the physical and psychological effects that the coldest winter season brings?
Hypothermia
Normal body temperature (or internal body temperature) should be 35.6 ° C – 37.5 ° C. If it drops below 35.0 ° C, then we are at risk of hypothermia, a condition which can lead to many complications, including the worst case, death. Hypothermia is a medical emergency.
The earth is closer to the sun in winter
In the northern hemisphere the earth is closer to the sun during the winter. Around January 3, the earth reaches the perihelion and is located 5 million km closer to the sun than in the aphelion. When is it farthest from the sun? Around the 5th of July. The fact that the earth moves at 1 km per second faster in perihelion than in aphelion makes winter shorter than summer.
Physical effects in winter
Climate change during the winter season has effects on our health. According to science the cold can affect a number of aspects like the susceptibility to having migraines. It has also been proven that there are people who have headaches as a result of sensitivity to temperatures.
What are the psychological effects during the winter season?
Science has found a link between winter and depression. The reasons can be various such as the reduction of sunlight that causes the body’s internal clock to be interrupted giving space to feelings of depression. The change of seasons disrupts the balance of melatonin levels in the body that plays a key role during sleep and mood. A surprising fact is that violent thoughts diminish during the winter, levels of violence and aggression are higher in hot climates.
Do you know why when it snows it gets less cold?
We feel that every time it snows, we say the weather calmed down. We have this feeling even though the environment looks more pleasant when there is snow. It turns out that snow bubbles formed by ice crystals and absorb steam and fall. This vapor has just turned to ice and the transition from the vapor state to the solid releases heat. So every time it snows it produces heat in the atmosphere.
How does the cold affect human health?
Winter is the main cause of viruses. Many studies show that viruses multiply more rapidly in cooler environments.
Darkness during the winter season
During the winter there are fewer hours of sunshine and our skin produces less vitamin D. We know that it is very important for the body’s immune forces, in cell growth, for bones and in the absorption of calcium.
Translated and adapted by: Weather.al and Moti.com.al
