Winter is due to arrive. Here are some of the most common facts you still need to know about being in winter.
1. In the northern hemisphere, winter is the period between the winter solstice (December 21 or 22) and the spring equinox (March 20 or 21).
2. But more commonly we tend to think of winter as December 1 to February 28 or 29.
3. Bizarrely, the Earth is about three million miles closer to the sun in our winter than in summer.
4. It is colder in winter because the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun in winter so receives less warmth and light.
5. Reindeer eyes change colour from golden to blue during winter. This helps them see in the dark.
6. A foot of snow when it melts produces only one inch of water.
7. The Lion In Winter (1968) is the only film with winter in its title to win an Oscar. Summer has two Oscars, spring one, autumn none.
8. “A sad tale’s best for winter,” (Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale).
9. The last Frost Fair on the frozen River Thames was held in February 1814 when an elephant was paraded walking on the ice.
10. “People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy,” (Anton Chekhov)
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