Interesting facts about winter. Interesting but little-known facts about Winter, snow and snowflakes Seasonal natural phenomena

Winter is a controversial time of year. On the one hand, in winter there are many unique entertainments and exceptional beautiful nature. The Russian winter was perfectly sung by A.S. Pushkin. In addition, winter since time immemorial is the time of the most happy Holidays. Both adults and children look forward with approximately equal impatience to the New Year and the weekends and holidays associated with this date and Christmas.

On the other hand, winter means cold and associated problems in the form of colds, the need to dress warmly and the associated costs and inconveniences. Days in winter are short even in the European part of the country, not to mention at higher latitudes, which also does not add to the mood. If it snows, there will be trouble with transport. The thaw will come - everything will drown in water and dirty snow slush...

One way or another, winter exists, albeit in different forms, sometimes harsh, sometimes funny.

1. Winter is not December, January and February. Or rather, this definition is relevant, but only for most of the Northern Hemisphere. IN Southern Hemisphere winter is exactly those months that we consider summer. It would be more accurate to define winter in nature as the interval between summer and autumn or as the coldest time of the year.

In Brazil, if there is snow, it happens in July.

2. Winter does not come from a change in the distance from the Earth to the Sun. The Earth's orbit is slightly elongated, but the 5 million kilometers difference between perihelion and aphelion (the largest and smallest distance to the Sun) cannot play a big role. But the 23.5° inclination of the earth’s axis relative to the vertical influences the weather in mid-latitudes in winter and summer very strongly. The sun's rays fall on the ground at an angle close to a straight line - it's summer here. They fall tangentially - it’s winter here. On the planet Uranus, due to the tilt of its axis (it is more than 97°), there are only two seasons - summer and winter, and they last 42 years.

3. The most harsh winter in the world - Yakut. In Yakutia it can begin in mid-September. In Yakutia, the coldest village in the world with a permanent population is located. It's called Oymyakon. The temperature recorded here was -77.8°C, “not winter” - the local name - lasts from the end of May to mid-September, and children do not go to school only if the frost is stronger than -60°C.

People live and work in Oymyakon

4. The lowest temperature on Earth was recorded in Antarctica. In the area of ​​the Japanese polar station, the thermometer once showed -91.8°C.

5. Astronomically, winter in the Northern Hemisphere begins on December 22 and ends on March 21. In the Antipodes, winter begins on June 22 and ends on September 21.

6. Climatic winter is more relative in terms of timing than astronomical winter. In the latitudes where Russia is located, the beginning of winter is considered the day during which average temperature air did not exceed 0°C. Winter ends when the same temperature threshold is crossed back.

7. There is a concept of “nuclear winter” - a steady cooling caused by massive nuclear explosions. According to a theory developed in the late 20th century, megatons of soot released into the atmosphere by atomic explosions would limit the flow of solar heat and light. The air temperature will drop to Ice Age which will be a disaster for Agriculture and wildlife in general. IN last years The concept of “nuclear winter” has been criticized by both optimists and pessimists. There have already been some semblances of nuclear winter in the memory of mankind - in 1815, during the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia, so much dust entered the atmosphere that the following year in Europe and America was called “the year without summer.” Two centuries earlier, three abnormally cold years caused by a volcanic eruption in South America, led to famine and political upheaval in Russia. The Great Troubles began, which almost ended in the death of the state.

8. There is a popular belief that in the winter of 1941, German troops would have taken Moscow if not for “General Frost” - the winter was so severe that the Europeans, not accustomed to the cold, and their equipment could not fight. That winter is indeed one of the ten most severe in Russia in the Black Sea century, but severe cold began already in January 1942, when the Germans were driven back from Moscow. December 1941, in which the Red Army attacked, was quite mild - the temperature dropped below -10°C in a matter of days.

They were not warned about the frost

9. As practice shows, in modern Russia The catastrophe is not a harsh winter, but an unstable winter. A good illustration is the winter of 2011/2012. December consequences freezing rain were catastrophic: thousands of kilometers of broken wires, a mass of fallen trees, human casualties. At the end of January it became sharply cold, the temperature remained stable at -20°C, but nothing particularly serious happened in Russia. In neighboring countries with a warmer climate (and around Russia there are all countries with a warmer climate), dozens of people froze to death.

Freezing rain is often more dangerous than severe frosts

10. In the winter of 2016/2017, snow fell in the most exotic places for snowfall. Almost a meter of snow covered some of the Hawaiian Islands. Previously, their residents could only see snow in real life in the highlands. Snow fell in the Algerian part of the Sahara Desert, in Vietnam and Thailand. Moreover, snow fell on the last two countries at the end of December, that is, in the middle of summer, which led to corresponding consequences for agriculture.

Snow in the Sahara

11. Snow is not always white. In America, sometimes red snow falls - it is colored by an algae with the dubious name of chlamydomonas. Red snow tastes like watermelon. In 2002, snow of several colors fell in Kamchatka - sandstorms thousands of kilometers from the peninsula, dust and grains of sand were raised into the atmosphere, and they colored the snowflakes. But when residents of the Omsk region saw orange snow in 2007, the cause of the color could not be determined.

12. The most popular winter sport is hockey. But if several decades ago hockey was the prerogative of countries with pronounced winters, now hockey - and even professional level- they play in such non-winter countries as Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Morocco.

13. The first and only battle ground forces with the fleet took place in the winter of 1795 on the roadstead of the Dutch city of Den Helder. The winter was very severe then, and the Dutch fleet was frozen into ice. Having learned about this, the French launched a covert night attack on the ships. Having wrapped rags around the horseshoes of their horses, they managed to secretly approach the ships. Each horseman also carried an infantryman. The forces of the hussar regiment and an infantry battalion captured 14 battleships and a number of escort vessels.

Take a break from worries, household chores, and fuss for a while and see how beautifully God has created everything. Winter is a wonderful creation of God.

[The Lord] gives snow like a wave; Frost falls like ash; Throws His hail in pieces; Who can resist His frost? Ps.147:5

Did you know that one snowstorm can dump more than 39 million tons of snow, releasing energy equal to 120 atomic bombs? The Great Buran of 1888 was one of the most devastating snow storms ever occurred in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. During the storm, 125 cm of snow fell.

For many of us, snow is a common occurrence, but half the world's population has never seen it.

Astronomical winter on the planet lasts from the moment winter solstice until the moment spring equinox, that is, in the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth from December 22 to March 21, in the Southern Hemisphere from June 22 to September 21.

Calendar winter consists of three months: in the Northern Hemisphere it is December, January and February, in the Southern Hemisphere it is June, July and August. The beginning of winter is tied to the solstice in the traditions of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

For a certain combination of parameters environment A rare meteorological phenomenon occurs when the wind rolls snow into rolls. The accumulation of layers of snow occurs like when building a snowman, only the rolls are usually cylindrical in shape and are often hollow inside. For a snow roll to begin to form, the ground must be covered with a crust of ice, the snow must be wet and loose, and the wind speed must be high enough to lift the snow thickness.

Snow avalanches rush down the mountain at the speed of a fast train - from 80 to 110 km/h, but larger snow avalanches can develop more higher speed reaching the mark of 360 km/h, which is much faster than Formula 1 cars.

In Oymyakon climate winter lasts about 8 months, from September 13 to May 12, and already from last day calendar summer and on any day in September the average daily temperature can be negative, while in some years the thaw-free period can last from September 22 to May 6. At the northernmost point of Russia - at Cape Chelyuskin - climatic winter lasts about 11.5 months (except for the second half of July).

The world record for the heaviest daily snowfall belongs to the American city of Georgetown, Colorado. On December 4, 1913, Georgetown residents literally drowned in an unprecedented 160 centimeters of white “fluff.” Also, the longest snowfall was in 1932 in Canada. Then it snowed for 9 whole days and covered one-story houses right up to the roof.

What do snowflakes and human fingerprints have in common? Answer: they are all unique! Specially conducted long-term research by scientists has proven that there are no absolutely identical snowflakes in the world! Can you imagine there are not even TWO completely identical snowflakes in the WORLD. All snowflakes and their crystals are unique and form their own unique combinations.

The Eskimos use 24 words to describe snow in its various states. The Sami use 41 words to define and describe snow in all its possible forms.

In 1951, the International Commission on Snow and Ice legalized the classification of snowflakes. According to the approved international classification, there are seven types of snowflakes: star-shaped crystals, needles, columns (or columns), plates, spatial dendrites, tipped columns and irregular snowflakes.

A layer of compacted snow, 1 centimeter thick, provides 25-35 cubic meters of water per hectare when melted

Spring moves at a speed of approximately 50 kilometers per day. This was determined by observing the inflorescence of individual plants.

Well, aren't you tired of resting? New Year behind, and the mood of doing nothing sucked everyone in, as in ?.

By the way, half of the winter has already passed (well, almost half). This is for those who are completely lost in the calendar.

1. What do you like more: heat or frost? Judging by the annual reports of travel agencies, many people like summer. We knew that winter cold kills people more often than summer heat, exactly 2 times.
2. In countries where land prevails over sea, winter is more severe.
3. Have any of you measured snowflakes? The Guinness Book of Records records a record from 1887: then in January (Montana) a large snowflake was measured. It turned out to be 38 by 20 centimeters. Although I have a hard time believing it.
4. The fear of snow is called chionophobia. And frosts and cold weather are cryophobia.
5. Counting stars is unrealistic, but scientists still manage to do it. How to count snowflakes? Nevertheless, we set a goal and the result is clear: over the winter, at least 1 septillion ice crystals fall on us from the sky (that’s 24 zeros 10 24).
6. A snowflake floats at a speed of 0.9 km/hour.
7. Contrary to logic, the most close quarters from Earth to Sun in December. Why contrary? Because the shortest day of the year is the winter solstice.

On Earth, 12% of the surface is covered with snow and ice

1. What is the biggest snowman you have ever made? You can set a record: in 1999, the state of Maine beat the previous one, Japan, in size Bigfoot. It was 35 meters!
2. In one average year, the earth is covered with approximately 40 million tons of snow.
3. There are migratory ones. Everyone knows. Have you heard about butterflies who, in search of something acceptable? warm climate travel great distances? These are monarch butterflies. They are capable of flying up to 5,000 kilometers. And they always choose the same tree for their winter home. Migratory butterflies – sounds a little strange...

1. 12% of the Earth's surface is covered with snow.
2. Winter is treacherous. So just 7 days before, a blizzard with freezing snow and a cyclone blocked traffic in the southern United States, and Cuba and Canada suffered $7 billion in damage. There were more than 330 casualties. This happened in 1993.
3. I wonder what exactly is the reason for winter? It happens due to the fact that in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres the earth's axis is tilted away from the Sun.
4. In the Southern Hemisphere, winter does not come in December, January and February, as we are used to. And in June, July and August. It's the other way around.

Winter facts about winter

1. The lowest temperature was recorded at Vostok station in 1983, at: -123°C. But that's just for now.
2. Winter can be a defensive weapon. Napoleon Bonaparte fell in an unequal battle before the Russian frosts.

The coldest country in the world

Winter hotels in Finland

1. In winter, people have an increased appetite. More sweets and cakes are bought in stores.
2. State subsidies for clearing winter roads and Maintenance trails account for more than 20% of annual income. It's not a cheap pleasure to drive on clean roads.
3. Did you know that the most common birthday is September 16th? Because there was something to do in everything. I set it in the right way and cold weather, and holidays.
4. According to statistics in winter time men prefer to admire women's charms (in photographs). And many previously unnoticed women open up to them from a different, more attractive side. This is because in the cold season, clothes cover almost everything, allowing for wild imagination.
5. Many northern animals camouflage themselves under the snow: Arctic hares and foxes, stoats and even partridges. These are colorful in the summer and whiter than snow in the colder months.
6. After the eruption at Tambora Peak, there was no summer for a whole year.
7. Plum blossoms in winter in China. For the residents of the country, it is a symbol of perseverance and hope for the best.

Your brain has been stretched by facts, maybe it’s time to break away from the monitor and take a walk along the snow-covered streets of your favorite city or village? The snow will melt, streams will run, and only memories of frost will remain. Hurry up to live...

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Some of us look forward to winter, while others don’t like winter at all, due to cold weather or other reasons. From this article you will learn interesting facts about winter and snow that you hardly knew or heard about, but I am sure that everyone will be interested to know, regardless of whether they like this cold, snowy season or not.

Fact- 1

Astronomical winter on Earth begins at the time of the winter solstice and lasts until the spring equinox, that is, in the Northern Hemisphere of the planet - from December 22 to March 21, in the Southern Hemisphere - from June 22 to September 21.

Calendar winter lasts 3 months - in the Northern Hemisphere it is December, January and February, and in the Southern Hemisphere it is June, July and August. According to climatologists, winter begins after the average daily air temperature drops below 0 ºС.

Fact- 2 Low temperature record

In winter, records are set for the most low temperatures. Thus, the coldest time on Earth was on December 8, 2013 - in Antarctica, an unusual temperature of -91.2 ºС was recorded at a Japanese station.

Fact- 3 Winter is...

Winter is not only the name of the season. So, in Russia there is the city of Zima (Irkutsk region). A river with the same name flows here.

Fact- 4

Snowflakes in winter are amazing because simple matter can self-organize into complex matter. You'll never find two similar friend snowflakes on each other.

And the number of snowflakes is greater than that of atoms in the entire visible universe.

Fact- 5

Astronomer John Kepler explained the shape of snowflakes as God's will. And the Japanese scientist Nakaya Ukichiro believed that snowflakes are unknown hieroglyphs written in the heavens.

By the way, it was he who created the first classification of these mysterious hieroglyphs. In honor of Nakai, they even opened a Japanese snowflake museum.

Fact- 6 Classification of snowflakes

In 1951, an international commission was created to study snow and ice. Which introduced the classification of snowflake crystal shapes.

All of them are divided into 7 types: classic needles, stars, regular columns, columns with tips, among them there are even spatial dendrites, plates, and of course, among other regular geometric shapes there are snowflakes of irregular shape.

Fact- 7

On April 30, 1944, snow was falling in the capital of our Motherland - military Moscow. The huge snowflakes were the size of an average person's palm. They were shaped like ostrich feathers.

But the biggest snowflake reached a size of 38 cm and a thickness of 20 cm. The record-breaking snowflake was found on January 28, 1887 during a snowfall in the USA.

Fact- 8

Did you know that snowflakes can “sing”? When they enter water or bodies of water, they emit a high-frequency sound. A person is not able to hear it, but fish, according to experts, do not like it!

Fact- 9 Snow is not only white

The snow itself is not only white, but high in Antarctica it turns red, pink, and even purple.

And it's called watermelon snow. This is because of the algae that live in it - they are called snow chlamydomonas.

Fact- 10

Oddly enough, snowflakes are 95% air. This can explain the fragility of the snowflake and the low speed of its fall.

We have collected for you interesting materials about winter, which may be useful both for schoolchildren when writing stories and reports about this time of year, and for teachers. primary classes to familiarize students with the topic “Winter. Winter months. Winter phenomena nature. Winter signs about the weather.", in this case the story can be presented as a presentation. It will turn out to be a wonderful lesson or extracurricular activity.

What is winter?

When the last colorful leaves finish falling and envelop the earth with their motley carpet, and gray raindrops give way to chilly cold and the first sparkling snowflakes, winter comes into its own. She reigns for three whole months: timid frosty December, snowy and festive January and, of course, February, famous for its severe cold. In winter, nature sleeps sweetly, wrapped in a blanket of snow and calmed by the discordant but melodic tune of the blizzard. However, this exciting time of year announces itself not only with a lush cap of snow-white snowdrifts and transparent icicles hanging from the roofs of houses, but also with a temperature that does not rise above zero degrees Celsius, and makes you chilly to wrap yourself in warm clothes.

Changes in nature in winter

December

December, which marks the arrival of winter, is in contrast to the mild autumn November, very rarely spoils nature with its thaws. He carefully and gradually prepares for the onset of cold weather and frosts, lowering the temperature on the thermometer and wrapping everything around with a warm blanket of snow. Thanks to such care, many small animals and plants can survive the coming cold, because it is warmer under the snow than outside. Sparkling snowdrifts often reach 30 cm and no longer surrender to the mercy of the timid rays of the sun. The lower the air temperature, the harder the snow and the more sonorous its melodic crunch becomes.

Gradually, the day begins to lose its ground, and the cold December nights become longer and longer. Short-term frosts are already beginning to show their harsh character and a thin crust of ice hinders the movement of winding rivers. Sometimes December indulges in slight thaws and a pleasant increase in temperature, but it can remind itself of sharp frosts, and the Arctic winds gradually bring more and more cold and freshness.

In the northern hemisphere, the night of December 22 is the longest of the year, and the day of December 22 is the shortest of the year. On the winter solstice, December 22, the sun rises to its lowest height above the horizon throughout the year.

With the onset of December, there are many folk signs about the weather. Here are some of them:

• If in December the sky is cloudy and the clouds hang low, then it’s worth waiting for next year big harvest.
• If thunder rumbles often this month, then in January there will be very severe frosts.
• The lack of rain means that spring and summer will also be dry.
• Lots of snow, frost and frozen ground signify a good fall harvest.
• If bullfinches arrived this month, then winter will be frosty.

In Rus', at the beginning of December, they already began to make sleigh tracks and organized troika rides. From December 9, in the evening it was worth staying close to houses, as the wolves began to approach closer to the village.

However, December marks not only the beginning of winter, but also the eager anticipation of the New Year. This holiday, celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1, is one of the most wonderful days, because it symbolizes not only the beginning of a new year, but also a time of finding new hopes and aspirations, faith in positive changes and magical events. Every person on this holiday becomes a child and looks forward to the advent of a bewitching fairy tale and the fulfillment of all dreams. Smell pine needles and the unique taste of tangerines awaken warm memories and make the heart beat faster in anticipation of miracles.

January

In January, winter fully comes into its own. She serenely reigns over nature and continues her snowy and frosty march. Epiphany cold and unique snow crystals create a magical winter's tale from the intricate patterns on the windows, they sing about her, whirling in the whirlpool of a blizzard, and boldly look into the cloudless blue sky. The bitter cold makes itself felt with clouds of steam from the mouth and a pleasant tingling sensation on the cheeks and nose. All this magic is supported by a temperature already established within -10-30 degrees Celsius. The days are gradually becoming longer, and the impenetrable darkness of frosty nights is gradually losing its position. However, the piercing light bright sun does not have time to warm the earth, so the stubborn cold asserts its rights even more firmly and makes the air piercingly frosty. Thanks to this, you can admire the night clear skies and sparkling diamonds of the stars. The wind is not as strong as in December and does not shake the trees dressed in snow, but only lovingly strokes their tops.

January is famous not only for its mesmerizing beauty, but also for the onset of... important event in the life of Christians - the Nativity of Christ. This bright holiday, celebrated on January 7, is solemnly celebrated by all believers, and their congratulations to each other merge together to the sound of bells.

The days from January 7 to January 19 are called Christmastide. They are illuminated by the light of the Nativity of Christ and are perfect for various games, fortune telling and carols. Most often fortune telling occurred on the night of January 13-14. Young girls wanted to know who their betrothed would be, and married women We tried to find out what the weather would be like in the summer and whether we should expect a big harvest. Christmastide was also a period of noisy weddings. In Rus' these days they organized sleigh rides and all kinds of snow fun.

According to folk signs about the weather:

• if the south wind blows on January 21, then the summer will be stormy, and if there is frost on the stacks on the 23rd, then the summer will be cool and rainy.

February

With the onset of February, the thick gray sky, which continues to cover the sleeping earth with a soft cap of a blanket of snow, gradually becomes a little kinder and allows the bright rays of the sun to often peek through the dense clouds. Winter still reminds us of itself with the discordant tune of a blizzard and a cheerful carousel of snowflakes swirling in a blizzard, but the premonition of spring is gradually beginning to revive everything around. Cheeks pink from the biting frost gradually begin to warm up with timid solar heat. The snow becomes covered with a thin crust and begins to slowly give way, anticipating the approach of spring. The days are getting longer and clear sky It increasingly pleases the eye with its unique blue.

IN southern regions In Russia, buds appear on willows - the first harbingers of spring, and thawed patches, like messengers, carry the news of its approach. The frosty wind pleasantly pricks the face with small snowflakes, and the chilly frost alternates with long-awaited thaws. However, the mesmerizing snowstorms and stubborn cold will not soon surrender to the mercy of the beautiful spring.

There are many folk superstitions about the weather associated with February.

• If the weather is very cold and frosty this month, then summer will be hot.
• Little snow in February threatens a poor harvest.
• If thunder rumbles, then you should expect strong winds.
• Rainy February indicates the same spring and summer.
• Bright stars predict frost, and dim stars predict thaw.
• If the frosts in February are very severe, then the winter will be short.

Signs of winter

One of the first signs of winter is the appearance of dense, low-hanging clouds. They, like a fur blanket, envelop the sky and do not allow the sun's rays to break through their curtain and delight the earth with their warmth, and the sun is low and does not warm up so much. Such clouds are very different from summer, light and cirrus. The winter sky does not please with its colors, but it compensates for this with sparkling snowflakes, neatly covering everything around, as if sparkling silver.

Thick blanket of snow is also an important sign of winter. Only at this time of year fluffy snowflakes do not melt under timid sun rays, and, gradually adding, create a reliable snow cover.

Winter is also famous for its frosts. It's gradually getting colder. The thin needles of the first frosty winds begin to tingle your cheeks and nose and force you to wrap yourself more tightly in winter clothes. TO warm jacket her permanent companions are added - a hat and mittens.

Plants and animals are also actively preparing for the onset of winter. Trees and shrubs in anticipation of cold weather and cloudy days shed their leaves. However, this will not last long and in the spring the first small leaves will appear on the branches. Only coniferous trees they don’t want to part with their green needles and continue to delight them even in winter.

In winter there is little food, so some animals hibernate, and those that continue to stay awake grow fluffy and thick fur. The hare, for example, turns white, and the hedgehog and bear hibernate.

It is also not easy for birds to tolerate cold and lack of abundant food, so many of them fly away to warmer climes, and the rest adapt to different types stern.

Natural phenomena in winter

At this time of year there are such interesting and unusual phenomena nature like:

• Blizzard
• Black ice
• Icicles
• Frost patterns

A blizzard appears with the first gusts of wind and, boldly picking up the snow cover, carries it away into a mysterious winter dance. This is very harsh a natural phenomenon, which it is better not to meet on the way. The blizzard boldly controls the snowy landscape and arranges fluffy snowdrifts at will. Most often this happens in the middle of winter, when frost and cold reign supreme.

Black ice, like a sweet winter dream, binds water bodies and covers not only the continuous flow of rivers, but also all roads with a thin crust of ice. This happens if, after rain or sleet, the temperature drops below zero. Ice on rivers impedes navigation, but provides wide open space for all kinds of winter activities, such as sledding, skating or skiing.

One more interesting phenomenon winters are icicles. They, like ice daggers, fall into the ground and crumble into hundreds of sparkling fragments. Icicles form when snow on roofs or other flat objects begins to melt, and the resulting water freezes at low temperatures at night.

Frosty patterns, like frost, are an incredible lace creation of winter. Their whimsical design and bewitching beauty leave a lot of room for imagination and immerse you in snow fairy tale. This becomes possible due to the formation of ice crystals settling on the irregularities of the glass. They overlap each other and create pictures of incredible beauty.

Winter is not only beautiful time year, but also very unusual. She is like a big mystery that has yet to be solved. For example:

• snow is a real work of art and there are no two identical snowflakes in the world.
• Snowflakes are 95% air, which is why they fall to the ground so slowly.
• In Antarctica you can find purple, pink or red snow.
• IN different countries and parts of the world ice has different temperatures. For example, the coldest ice is found in Antarctic glaciers and reaches -60 degrees Celsius, and the warmest (0 degrees) is on the tops of the Scandinavian mountains and the Alps.
• More than half of the world's inhabitants have never seen real snow.
• On February 18, 1979, snowfall was recorded in the Sahara Desert, which is one of the hottest places on the planet.
• Enjoy yourself warm winter possible in North Sudan. There at this time of year the temperature rarely drops below +40 degrees.
• One of the coldest and most uninhabitable places is Antarctica. In winter, the air temperature there averages -70 degrees. And at Vostok station, which is located in Antarctica, a temperature of -89.2 degrees was recorded.

Winter is a wonderful and fabulous time of year, when, despite the short days and frosty air, life does not freeze, but is filled with new light and sound. The snow-white blanket of snow and snowflakes sparkling in the sun, the unique patterns on the glass and the ice crust that binds rivers and lakes are endlessly pleasing to the eye. The prickly frost, lovingly touching your cheeks, reminds you of how many games there are fresh air conceals this time of year and makes you freeze in anticipation of the New Year holidays.