Winter is a fierce time, especially in the north of the planet. Sometimes its appearance does not coincide with the calendar time. Signs of winter can appear earlier. Slushy weather changes to frost, ponds freeze, and the earth is covered with a white snow blanket. The day during this period is short, and the nights are cold.
The first signs of winter. Snow
December 21 is the longest night. This is the winter solstice. After this day, the countdown goes in the opposite direction, the day begins to increase, and the night rapidly decreases.
The first signs of winter in inanimate nature may appear in November and December. Clouds hang over the ground, they become gray and heavy, as the air is full of moisture. In the summer they are light and heapy, but with the advent of cold weather they fill the whole sky, which makes the street feel moist and fresh. Such clouds sprinkle snow on the ground, after which meter-long snowdrifts may appear.
Only in winter does snow fall, covering everything with a veil. This allows small animals and plants to hide. From a low temperature, the snow becomes more loose, it does not crackle, it is hard when touched.
If there is no wind on the street, then the snow is falling in large snowflakes. If the wind gets stronger, a blizzard appears. This is a severe
natural phenomenon in this period of the year. From a gust of wind, the snow cover rises, rushes in different directions. Snowstorm is of 2 types:
It depends on the redistribution of air. Strong snowstorms are most often seen in the middle of winter. By the way, this phenomenon creates a snowy landscape, gives the snowdrifts interesting shapes.
Sleet
There are other signs of winter in inanimate nature. For example, sleet. After the temperature changed sharply, it became frosty, the surface of the earth is covered with ice crust. This phenomenon is provoked by wet snow or rain before the temperature changes below zero. Glaze can turn small streams into ice, for this it is not necessary to precipitate.
In severe winter frosts, which last a long period, various bodies of water, even the deepest ones, are constrained. Low temperatures cause deep freezing. From this, shipping can cease its activities for a while, since ice does not allow movement on water. For such icy conditions on water bodies to disappear, prolonged warming in the sun is required.
Frost
The signs of winter include frosty temperatures. This is a dangerous phenomenon that can last a long time, turning into an anticyclone. Low temperatures can harm agriculture, develop into an emergency, for which utilities are always ready.
Icicles
Signs of the onset of winter complement the icicles. This piece of ice hangs from houses, buildings and other planes. It has the shape of a cone. Due to the fact that the sun warms up the snow, it melts, and at night the frost causes it to freeze, forming icicles. Their appearance is associated with the amount of melted snow. The ice cone collapses when it becomes too heavy, and crumbles from falling to the ground.
Gradually, after winter comes spring. Icicles begin to melt, the temperature rises, frosty patterns disappear .
Nature calendar
Frosts and snow appear in different ways. Nature has its own calendar, so signs of winter are noticeable at different times of the year.
Each year, the timing of the annual seasons is changed. Therefore, spring may come early or, conversely, late. This happens in the winter. Each year there can be a different amount of precipitation, days can be more clear or cloudy, the temperature can also bring surprises.
For many people, it is important to monitor fluctuations in nature. Gardeners, landowners, fishers, and hunters pay attention to them. The following industries depend on weather conditions:
- poultry farming;
- Agriculture;
- fishing;
- animal husbandry;
- sericulture;
- beekeeping.
End of winter
Winter does not last forever, in the end it comes to an end. The first thawed spots appear, the earth is visible. Previously, they can be seen on the slopes, and then on the fields. But in the north, in the forests, snow can last a long time.
Migratory birds begin to return home. The first to be noticed is a rook. But there are also places of their residence from which they do not fly away, since there are no severe winters.
The beginning of winter in wildlife
There are signs of winter in wildlife. You can observe such changes:
- Trees, bushes drop leaves. This is due to the fact that in winter there is little light, so they do not need this part. Only coniferous trees do not lose leaves, they fall gradually so that new ones grow. These needles of Christmas trees and pines are covered with a coating that protects them from severe frosts.
- In winter there is little feed. For this reason, animals, such as a bear, hibernate. Those who continue to lead an active life are overgrown with a warm fur coat. Such changes will not allow them to freeze. By the way, the hare turns white for the winter, and the hedgehog finds a cozy place and sleeps there curled up until spring.
- The number of birds decreases in winter, as migratory birds fly to the regions where it is warmer. Only those who have adapted to eat various types of food remain. Yes, and many insects disappear in the winter, so it becomes more difficult for birds to find food.
Such signs of winter in wildlife.
What is snow made of?
Snowflakes come in various sizes, but no more than 5 mm. And the openwork weaving is different from each other, surprising with its uniqueness. There are various signs of winter, but the most basic is snow. Snowflakes are symmetrical, have clear geometric faces, connected in a hexagon. The water molecule has a hexagonal shape. Because of this, it freezes in the clouds, transforms into small crystals. Formation occurs with the capture of neighboring molecules. Thus, a chain of frozen molecules is obtained.
The resulting form is affected by air temperature, humidity. Snow plays an important role in winter, as it protects the earth in cold weather, covering it with a snow cover. It allows you to keep warm, plants and small animals will not die in such conditions. If there is no snow, then winter crops will not produce a crop. Snow also retains moisture, which is necessary in the spring.
Games for children to help you recognize the beginning of winter
Many parents want their child to be able to quickly tell what signs of winter exist. You can teach him this by playing. At the same time, his mental abilities will develop and improve.
The first game is called Homemade Lotto. It can be used for 3 year old babies. Signs of winter for children will become clear, they will be able to talk about it. To do this, you need to make a lotto for each season. Pictures are collected that show signs of winter and other periods of the year. After this, you need to invite your child to choose from the drawings those that are associated with the winter period. The parent can take out pictures in turn, and the baby should determine the signs of a cold season. To make the child interested, you can exchange roles with him later. This will consolidate his knowledge. It is allowed to make mistakes so that the baby corrects his parent.
Like the previous game, you can write on cardboard the words: signs for the word "winter" and other times of the year. The lesson is similar to the previous one, the child must collect words related to winter.
Well develops the thoughts of the baby game "What to wear." This will require clothing that should be worn at different times of the year. The child should choose from the heap only those things that are suitable for winter. The parent can also show one attribute of the wardrobe, and the children make a conclusion about it. The same game can take place with shoes. If there is concern that things get dirty, you can use pictures. They should depict different clothes. In order for the child to develop his logical thinking, one may ask why he chose a particular thing.
You can help you recognize the signs of winter while walking. When mom went for a walk with the baby outside, he can begin to talk about the changes that came with the advent of the winter period. The parent can help the children, paying attention that the dog’s hair has become thicker, and smoke is visible from the cottages, as the stove is heated there. The child will be aware that with the advent of winter it becomes cold, so such changes occur.
You can also play winter words. To do this, the participants name alternately the words associated with the winter. For example, cold, snow, Santa Claus, Snowman and others. If someone does not know what word to call, he leaves the game. The last remaining participant becomes the winner.
So, there are many changes in animate and inanimate nature with the advent of winter. Everyone should notice them, and children should be helped to see these signs.