Winter
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2008-07-15T13:33:22Z
Quaeler
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Reverted 1 edit by [[Special:Contributions/Dan56|Dan56]] to last revision by [[User:Xp54321|Xp54321]]; There's got to be an end to the litany of citations here. using [[WP:TWINKLE|TW]]
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{{Refimprove|date=February 2008}}
'''Winter''' is one of the four [[season]]s of [[temperate]] zones. Calculated [[meteorology|meteorologically]], it begins on the [[solstice]] and ends on the [[equinox]]. It is the season with the shortest days and the lowest average [[temperature]]s. It has colder [[weather]] and, especially in the higher latitudes or altitudes, [[snow]] and [[ice]]. The coldest average temperatures of the season are typically experienced in [[January]] in the [[Northern Hemisphere]] and in [[July]] in the [[Southern Hemisphere]].
==Aspects==
[[Image:Windbuchencom.jpg|thumb|left|250px|In many parts of the world, winter is associated with [[snow]] and [[ice]]. Winter in [[Germany]] (above)]]
===Meteorology===
[[Image:Earth-satellite-seasons.gif|thumb|right|Animation of snowcover changing with the [[Season|seasons]].]]
Meteorological winter is the season having the shortest days and the lowest temperatures. Night-time predominates the winter season, and in some regions it has the highest rate of [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] as well as prolonged dampness because of permanent [[snow]] cover or high precipitation rates coupled with low temperatures, precluding evaporation. [[Blizzard]]s often develop and cause many transportation delays. A rare meteorological phenomenon encountered during winter is [[ice fog]], which is composed of [[ice crystal]]s suspended in the air and happening only at very low temperatures, below about −30 °C [http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/parks/education/a_e/arctic_weather.htm].
Accumulations of snow and ice are mostly associated with winter in the Northern Hemisphere, due to the large land masses there. In the Southern Hemisphere, the more maritime climate and the relative lack of land south of 40 degrees South makes the winters more mild, and thus snow and ice are less common in inhabited regions of the Southern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, snow occurs every year in elevated regions such as the Andes, the Great Dividing Range in Australia, and the mountains of New Zealand, and also occurs in the southerly [[Patagonia]] region of South America. Snow occurs year-round in Antarctica.
===Period===
It is often said that, astronomically, winter starts with the [[winter solstice]] and ends with the [[vernal equinox]]. In meteorology, it is by convention counted instead as the whole months of June, July and August in the [[Southern Hemisphere]] and [[December]], [[January]] and [[February]] in the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. While in actuality, the most accurate start and end point is simply defined by when the first major wave of [[cold front]]s and [[warm front]]s hit a particular area, having no universally predetermined dates.
In [[Celtic nations]] such as [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] using the [[Irish calendar]], the winter solstice is traditionally considered as midwinter, with the winter season beginning [[November 1]] on [[Halloween|All Hallows]] or [[Samhain]]. Winter ends and spring begins on [[Imbolc]] or [[Candlemas]], which is [[February 1]] or [[February 2]]. This system of seasons is based on the length of days exclusively. The three-month period of the shortest days and weakest solar radiation occurs during November, December and January in the Northern Hemisphere and May-July in the [[Southern Hemisphere]].
Also many mainland [[Europe]]an countries tend to recognize [[Martinmas]], [[St. Martin]]'s day ([[November 11]]) as the first calendar day of winter. The day falls at midpoint between the old Julian [[equinox]] and [[solstice]] dates. Also, [[Valentines Day]] ([[February 14]]) is recognized by some countries as heralding the first rites of [[Spring (season)]], such as flower blooming.
In [[Chinese astronomy]] (and other [[East Asia]]n [[Chinese calendar|calendars]]), winter is taken to commence on or around [[November 7]], with the ''[[Jieqi|Jiéqì]]'' known as (立冬 ''lì dōng'', literally "establishment of winter".)
The three-month period associated with the coldest average temperatures typically begins somewhere in late [[November]] or early December in the Northern Hemisphere. If "winter" is defined as the statistically coldest quarter of the year, then the astronomical definition is too late by almost all local climate standards, and the traditional [[England|English]]/[[Ireland|Irish]] definition of [[November 1]] ([[May 1]] in the Southern Hemisphere) is usually too early to fit this standard. No matter the reckoning, winter is the only season that spans two calendar years in the northern hemisphere. (In other words, there are very few temperate climates in which the vernal equinox is on average colder than the winter solstice, and very few temperate climates in which Samhain is colder than Imbolc).
===Causes===
{{seealso|Effect of sun angle on climate}}
The tilt of the [[Earth]]'s axis relative to its orbital plane has a dramatic effect on the weather. The Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.44° to the plane of its orbit, and this causes different latitudes on the Earth to directly face the [[Sun]] as the Earth moves through its orbit. It is this variation that primarily brings about the seasons. When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere faces the Sun more directly and thus experiences warmer temperatures than the Northern Hemisphere. Conversely, winter in the Southern Hemisphere occurs when the Northern hemisphere is tilted more toward the Sun. From the perspective of an observer on the Earth, the winter Sun has a lower maximum altitude in the sky than the summer Sun.
During winter in either hemisphere, the lower altitude of the Sun in winter causes the sunlight to hit that hemisphere at an oblique angle. In regions experiencing winter, the same amount of [[solar radiation]] is spread out over a larger area. This effect is compounded by the larger distance that the light must travel through the atmosphere, allowing the atmosphere to dissipate more heat.
===Exceptional cases===
*[[1684]] when the [[Thames]] froze, hosting one of many [[River Thames frost fairs]] and the sea froze up to 2 miles out around the coast
*[[Year Without a Summer]] was the name for [[1816]], because the weather was so cold that it reminded people of winter all year.
*In [[Europe]], the winters of [[1947]],<ref>[http://www.winter1947.co.uk Winter of 1947]</ref> [[1962]]-[[1963]] and [[1981]]-[[1982]] were considered abnormally cold.
*The [[Winter of Discontent]] is the name for the [[United Kingdom|British]] winter of [[1978]]-[[1979]], during which there were widespread [[strike]]s by key workers. Lorry drivers, train drivers, nurses, most public sector employees such as civil servants, refuse collectors, and car workers at [[Ford Motors]] all went on strike. Most notorious however was an unofficial strike by the [[undertaker|gravediggers]].
==Ecology==
[[Image:Snowshoe hare.jpg|thumb|right|upright|The [[Snowshoe Hare]] is one animal that changes color in winter.]]
To survive the harshness of winter, many animals have developed different behavioral and morphological adaptations for [[Overwintering]]:
*[[Bird migration|Migration]] is a common effect of winter upon animals, notably [[bird]]s. However the majority of birds do not migrate, the [[Cardinal (bird)|cardinal]] or [[European Robin]] for example. Some [[butterfly|butterflies]] also migrate seasonally.
*[[Hibernation]] is a state of reduced [[metabolism|metabolic activity]] during the winter. Some animals "sleep" during winter and only come out as warm weather returns. For example, [[Gopher (animal)|gopher]]s, [[bear]]s, [[frog]]s, [[snake]]s and [[bat]]s hibernate.
*Some animals store food for the winter and live upon it instead of hibernating completely. This is the case of [[squirrel]]s, [[beaver]]s, [[skunk]]s, [[badger]]s and [[raccoon]]s.
*Resistance is observed when an animal endures winter but changes in ways such as color and [[muscle|musculature]]. The color of the [[fur]] or [[plumage]] are changed to white in order to be confused with snow and thus, to retain their [[cryptic (zoology)|cryptic]] coloration year round. Examples are the [[ptarmigan]], the [[arctic fox]], the [[weasel]], the [[hare|white-tailed jack rabbit]] or the [[mountain hare]].
*Some fur-coated mammals grow a heavier fur coat during the winter. This improves the heat-retention qualities of the fur. The coat is then shed following the winter season to allow better cooling. The heavier winter coat made this season a favorite for [[Animal trapping|trapper]]s who sought more profitable skins.
*[[Snow]] also affects the ways animals behave; many take advantage of the insulating properties of snow by burrowing in it. [[mouse|Mice]] and [[vole]]s typically live under the snow layer.
[[Annual plant]]s never survive the winter. As for [[perennial plant]]s, many small ones profit from the insulating effects of snow by being buried in it. Larger plants, particularly [[deciduous|deciduous trees]], usually let their upper part go dormant, but their roots are still protected by the snow layer. Few plants bloom in the winter, with exceptions including the [[ume|flowering plum]] (which flowers in time for [[Chinese New Year]]).
==Activities==
[[Image:Snowboarder in halfpipe.jpg|right|thumb|Snowboarder in the halfpipe]]
{{main|Winter sport}}
===Snow activities===
Many winter activities involve the use of [[snow]] in some form (which sometimes may still be manmade, via [[snow cannon]]s):
*[[Bobsledding]] - a [[winter sport]] in which teams make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked purpose-built iced tracks in a gravity-powered, steerable [[sled]].
*[[Skiing]] - the activity of gliding over snow using fiberglass planks called ''skis'' that are strapped to the skiers' feet with [[ski bindings]].
*[[Sledding]] - a downhill activity using a [[sled]] to glide downhill.
*[[Snowball fight]] - a physical [[game]] in which snowballs are thrown with the intention of hitting someone else.
*[[Snowboarding]] - an increasingly common sport where participants strap a composite board to their feet and slide down a snow-covered mountain.
*[[Snowshoeing]] - a means of travel on top of the snow by increasing the [[surface area]] of the feet.
*[[Snowman]] building - creating a man-like model out of snow.
*[[Snow castle]] building - for example constructions such as the [[SnowCastle of Kemi]], the largest in the world.
===Ice activities===
[[Image:DSC04358.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bandy]], an early form of ice hockey.]]
Many other winter activities and sports focus on [[ice]], which may be contained in an [[ice rink]].
*[[Ice skating]] - a means of [[travel]]ing on ice with skates, narrow (and sometimes [[parabolic figure skating blades|parabolic]]) blade-like devices molded into special [[boot]]s.
*[[Ice boat]]ing - a means of travel in a specialized boat similar in appearance to a sailboat but fitted with skis or runners (skates) and designed to run over ice instead of (liquid) water.
*[[Ice biking]] - The continuation of regular [[cycling]] activities in the winter and cold weather.
*[[Ice fishing]] - the sport of [[fishing|catching fish]] with lines and hooks through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water.
*[[Ice diving]] - a type of [[penetration diving]] where the dive takes place under ice.
*[[Ice sculpture]] - elaborate sculptures are carved out of blocks of ice.
*[[Ice Hockey]] - A team sport played on the ice with skates, sticks and a puck. The goal is to send the puck in the adversary team's net.
*[[Curling]] - A team sport using brooms and ''stones''. The object of the game is to slide your stones in a bullseye and get your opponent's stones out of it.
*[[Ice climbing]] - The recreational activity of climbing ice formations such as icefalls and frozen waterfalls.
==Psychology==
[[Image:Skoropud.jpg|thumb|Long, harsh winters are believed to have affected the [[Russia]]n national character.]]
Passing seasons change the habits and moods of people. During the winter months in the northern hemisphere, a gloominess nicknamed "winter blues", "February blahs", "Holiday depression", or doldrums, is informally noted amongst people. The severest cases of this type of [[depression (mood)|depression]] is diagnosed as [[seasonal affective disorder]] (SAD). Symptoms include sleeping more, tiredness, depression, and physical aches. Although causes include genetic disposition and stress, the prevailing environmental influence is decreased exposure to [[light]] because of the angle of the sun and cloudcover and the increased amount of clothing that must be worn to keep warm.
==Symbolism==
Some use winter to suggest death, as in [[Robert Frost]]'s "[[Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening]]". Some use it to suggest the absence of hope, as in [[C. S. Lewis]]'s ''[[The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]],'' where it was always winter but never [[Christmas]]. Winter is one concerto in [[Antonio Vivaldi]]'s "The Four Seasons"; and there are many examples of four paintings, all showing the same scene in different seasons. Ursula K. LeGuin's novel ''[[The Left Hand of Darkness]]'' is set on a planet named Winter. In [[Alex Raymond]]'s comic strip, ''[[Flash Gordon]]'', there is a land called Frigia, where it is always winter. The land of Frigia is also featured in the serial ''[[Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe]]''. Other uses of winter in the graphic arts occur in [[Winsor McCay]]'s ''[[Little Nemo in Slumberland]]''. There are many films in which a winter setting plays an important role, ''[[Fargo (film)|Fargo]]'' being an example. Novels such as ''[[Ethan Frome]]'' also use a winter setting to mirror the bleak, frozen feelings that the characters harbor. The film ''[[Requiem for a Dream]]'' concludes with "Act III: Winter", in which the movie reaches its hellish and chilling climax.
==Mythology==
===In various cultures===
In [[Greek mythology]], [[Hades]] kidnapped [[Persephone]] to be his wife. [[Zeus]] ordered Hades to return her to [[Demeter]], the goddess of the earth and her mother. However, Hades tricked Persephone into eating the food of the dead so Zeus decreed Persephone would spend six months with Demeter and six months with Hades. During the time when her daughter is with Hades, Demeter becomes depressed and causes winter. In [[Welsh Mythology]], [[Gwyn ap Nudd]] abducted a maiden named [[Creiddylad]]. On [[May Day]] her lover [[Gwythr ap Greidawl]] fought Gwyn to win her back. The battle between them represented the contest between summer and winter.
===Personifications===
*[[Old Man Winter]]
*[[Father Winter]]
*[[Jack Frost]]
*[[Ded Moroz]]
*[[Snegurochka]]
===Gallery===
<gallery>
Image:Ambrogio Lorenzetti 010.jpg|An [[allegory]] of Winter, by [[Ambrogio Lorenzetti]]
Image:Giuseppe Arcimboldo - Winter, 1573.jpg|''Winter'', by [[Giuseppe Arcimboldo]]
Image:Jack-frost.jpg|19th century etching of Jack Frost as a [[United States]] [[major-general]] during the [[American Civil War]]
Image:ComplutumEstaciones.jpg|[[ancient Rome|Roman]] [[mosaic]] of the four seasons. Winter is at the lower right corner.
Image:Vasnetsov Snegurochka.jpg|A depiction of [[Snegurochka]] by [[Victor Vasnetsov]]
Image:Jane Frank Winter Windows.jpg|'Winter Windows' (1966-1967) by [[Jane Frank]], jagged holes reveal a bleak and wintery second canvas
Image:Caron-Antoine-triumph-of-winter.jpg|''The Triumph of Winter'', by [[Antoine Caron]]
</gallery>
==See also==
<table><tr><td valign=top>
'''Human-related''':
*[[Fimbulwinter]]
*[[Winter City]]
*[[Winter festivals]]
*[[Winter (Computer Game)]]
*[[Winter Olympics]]
*[[Winter War]], The
*[[Winter warfare]]
<td valign=top>
'''Weather-related''':
*[[Cold wave]]
*[[Global cooling]]
*[[Nuclear winter]]
*[[Pineapple Express]]
*[[Siberian Express]]
*[[Volcanic winter]]
*[[1684#undated|1684]]
</tr></td></table>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Further reading==
*Rosenthal, Norman E. (1998). Winter Blues. New York: The Guilford Press. ISBN 1-57230-395-6
==External links==
{{commons|Winter|Winter}}
* [http://www.oulu.fi/northnature/english/englanti/ajankohttalvi.html Winter of animals and plants in Finland] by the Northern Nature Project
*[http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com/23sep99/story5.html Native American seasons myths] from the Zion Natural History Association
{{Seasons}}
[[Category:Winter| ]]
[[ar:شتاء]]
[[ast:Iviernu]]
[[ay:Autipacha]]
[[ba:Ҡыш]]
[[be:Зіма]]
[[be-x-old:Зіма]]
[[bs:Zima]]
[[bg:Зима]]
[[ca:Hivern]]
[[cv:Хĕлле]]
[[cs:Zima]]
[[cy:Gaeaf]]
[[da:Vinter]]
[[de:Winter]]
[[et:Talv]]
[[el:Χειμώνας]]
[[myv:Теле]]
[[es:Invierno]]
[[eo:Vintro]]
[[eu:Negu]]
[[fa:زمستان]]
[[fr:Hiver]]
[[fur:Unvier]]
[[gl:Inverno]]
[[zh-classical:冬]]
[[ko:겨울]]
[[hi:शीत ऋतु]]
[[hr:Zima]]
[[id:Musim dingin]]
[[is:Vetur]]
[[it:Inverno]]
[[he:חורף]]
[[ka:ზამთარი]]
[[ht:Livè]]
[[ku:Zivistan]]
[[la:Hiems]]
[[lv:Ziema]]
[[lb:Wanter]]
[[lt:Žiema]]
[[hu:Tél]]
[[mr:हिवाळा]]
[[ms:Musim sejuk]]
[[nl:Winter]]
[[nds-nl:Wienter]]
[[ja:冬]]
[[no:Vinter]]
[[nn:Vinter]]
[[nrm:Hivé]]
[[uz:Qish]]
[[pl:Zima]]
[[pt:Inverno]]
[[ro:Iarnă]]
[[qu:Chiri mit'a]]
[[ru:Зима]]
[[st:Mariha]]
[[sq:Dimri]]
[[scn:Mmirnata]]
[[simple:Winter]]
[[sk:Zima]]
[[sl:Zima]]
[[sr:Зима]]
[[sh:Zima]]
[[fi:Talvi]]
[[sv:Vinter]]
[[th:ฤดูหนาว]]
[[vi:Mùa đông]]
[[tg:Зимистон]]
[[tr:Kış]]
[[uk:Зима]]
[[ur:موسم سرما]]
[[fiu-vro:Talv]]
[[wa:Ivier]]
[[vls:Winter]]
[[yi:ווינטער]]
[[zh-yue:冬天]]
[[diq:Zımıstan]]
[[bat-smg:Žėima]]
[[zh:冬季]]