Winter
The shortest day and longest night of the year happens in winter. What is that day called?
The winter solstice
Many animals hibernate in winter. Name 3!
alligators, bats, bees and bumblebees, bears, chipmunks, frogs, groundhogs, hedgehogs, lady bugs, skunks, snakes, turtles,
On average, which province in Canada experiences the most heavy snowfalls?
On average, it's Quebec. Quebec cities have the highest average of snowfall (ex: Saguenay with ~321.7 cm/year). However, St-John in Newfoundland & Labrador can have ~335 cm. Fun fact: Montreal has about ~209.5 cm/year.
The First Flight of the Wright Brothers in 1903 happened in winter. They are credited with inventing and flying the first successful powered, controlled, heavier-than-air airplane. During which month did they try their first flight?
December: Kitty Hawk (location) was selected for its steady winter winds, which helped generate lift for their experimental aircraft. Also, winter dunes were often softer and less vegetated, which provided slightly safer terrain for crashes.
Many animals grow this in winter to stay warm, including foxes, deer, and rabbits.
Thicker fur
Why is winter in the Northern hemisphere the coldest season on planet Earth?
Earth’s tilt causes the Sun’s rays to hit the hemisphere at a lower angle.
Why do many birds migrate south for the winter season?
To follow food sources and warmer temperatures.
Japan receives some of the heaviest snowfall in the world, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast. Explanation: In winter, cold, dry air masses flow eastward from Siberia toward Japan. These frigid winds cross the relatively warm Sea of Japan, where they pick up large amounts of moisture through evaporation.
The Winter Olympics – The first official Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France, celebrating sports in snowy conditions. In what year did this happen?
A) 1924 B) 1928 C) 1932
1924
The first known ice skates date back over 3,000 years! What were skates made of back then?
From the bones of large animals such as horses, oxen, or deer. (and leather straps)
Fun fact: Later, in medieval Europe, skates began to be made from metal blades, which allowed better control, speed, and durability.
The Arctic can experience “polar night.” Describe what this is.
When the Sun doesn’t rise for days, weeks, or even months.
Emperor penguins huddle up together to stay warm. How warm can the inner circle become?
A) 32 °C B) 37 °C
C) 39 °C D) 41 °C
Researchers have measured temperatures inside a dense emperor penguin huddle reaching as high as about 37 °C (99 °F), which is close to their own body temperature.
Which country does this: newborns often sleep outdoors in winter naps, where they believe it strengthens health and sleep patterns.
Finland
The “Year Without a Summer” of April 1815 caused winter-like conditions globally during the summer:snow and frost from June-August in the US, severe monsoon anomalies in Asia, and crop failure in Europe due to frost and cold. What natural disaster caused this?
Volcanic eruption: resulted from the April 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora (Indonesia). Some facts: some regions saw summer temperatures drop by several degrees Celsius; Northern Hemisphere summer became cold and unusually wet; Asia: Severe monsoon anomalies led to flooding and famine.
Why is winter -- and the cold -- a good time to burn calories?
The cold makes the body burn more calories, because the body uses energy to stay warm.
What is the Earth's coldest recorded temperature?
A) -69°C
B) -79°C
C) -89°C
(−89.2°C / −128.6°F) occurred during winter at Antarctica’s Vostok Station.
Reindeer technically have red noses because of the great amount of blood flowing in their nose. Why is this useful?
Because having so much blood flowing in their nose means it warms the frigid air before it goes inside their bodies (This prevents the lungs from being shocked by icy air.)
The 1998 Ice Storm is considered the worst historical ice storm in Quebec. In 6 days, Southern regions accumulated between 8-10cm of ice in that short time. Question: How many people died because of the storm?
35 people. Causes: primarily from carbon monoxide poisoning (from indoor generator use), accidents, fires caused by makeshift heating, hypothermia and trying to break the ice on structures.
In Northern Canada, when regular asphalt roads are not available, what do people use for as roads to travel?
Frozen rivers and lakes serve as temporary ice highways, allowing communities to transport goods and connect in otherwise inaccessible regions.
Snow can absorb this type of energy, making landscapes unusually quiet after a heavy snowfall.
Absorb sound
Snow isn’t white by nature. What colour is it and why does it appear white?
It’s transparent ice; it looks white because light reflects and scatters between countless ice crystals.
Reindeer again! Reindeer eyes change colour, shifting from gold in summer to deep blue in winter. What is a benefit for this?
Blue eyes has many benefits in Arctic winter: gives better vision in dim light (blue light dominates Arctic twilight and snow-reflected light); It enhances contrast where everything else looks white or grey (can better see predators); helps see ultraviolet (UV) light (Predator fur and urine absorb UV and appear darker). Reindeer are the only known land mammals with this seasonal eye-colour change!
Mongolia suffers from a deadly winter phenomenon called a dzud. Why is a "dzud" bad for Mongolians?
Dzud: an extreme cold and heavy snowfall that prevents livestock from grazing, threatening entire livelihoods. Herd losses sometimes exceed 50–70% in the worst dzuds.
Extremely cold winters freeze grapes naturally, concentrating sugars and flavors, producing the rare and highly prized beverage. What is it called?
Ice wine
Some insects survive winter by producing these chemicals that prevent their bodies from freezing solid.
Natural antifreeze substances (ex: glycerol)