10 characteristics of WINTER

Winter has always fascinated me. Perhaps because I was born in a mountainous region where snowfall was almost a December ritual, or because I enjoy the dense silence that the cold brings. As a writer and tireless observer of the seasons, today I want to share with you 10 essential characteristics of winter , analyzed through science , culture , and that everyday poetry that only this season can offer.

❄️ 1. Shorter days and endless nights

Have you ever felt like the sun is setting at 5 p.m. as if it's in a hurry? The shortening of daylight hours is one of the hallmarks of winter, especially at high latitudes. This phenomenon is due to the tilt of the Earth's axis, which distances the northern (or southern, depending on the season) hemisphere from the sun's rays. In Spain, cities like Santander experience days with just 9 hours of daylight in December. How does this affect our bodies? Science points to melatonin , the sleep hormone, which increases with darkness, causing that winter laziness that sometimes overwhelms us.

🌡️ 2. Sub-zero temperatures (and not just in the mountains)

The thermometer becomes a public enemy. Although we associate extreme cold with places like the Pyrenees or Sierra Nevada, even cities like Madrid and Teruel experience recurring frosts . In January 2021, for example, the Spanish capital reached -10°C, a record for decades. But not everything is bleak: winter also has its paradoxes. Did you know that in desert areas like Almería, nights can be colder than in northern regions? The lack of humidity and clouds allows heat to escape quickly.

Average temperatures in Spain during winter (example)

❄️ 3. Snow: ephemeral art of nature

There's no more universal winter symbol than snowflakes . Each one is a unique structure of ice crystals, formed at approximately -12°C. In Spain, resorts like Baqueira-Beret and Formigal are transformed into white kingdoms, but snow also has a key ecological impact: it acts as thermal insulation for soils and crops. However, its beauty is treacherous: according to the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology, the snow cover in the Pyrenees has decreased by 23% since 1980 due to climate change.

🧣 4. Winter fashion: functionality vs. style

Woolen coats, padded parkas, waterproof boots… Winter dictates a dress code that blends survival and fashion. Remember those heavy, dark coats your grandparents wore? Today, textile technology allows for fabrics like Primaloft (a synthetic insulator lighter than down) and breathable membranes. But beware: in countries like Finland, where temperatures drop to -30°C, the three-layer rule (thermal base layer, insulation, and windbreaker) is almost a religion.

🍲 5. Spoon-based cuisine and comforting calories

Winter invented the concept of comfort food . In Spain, dishes like Madrid stew, stewed lentils, and churros with chocolate take center stage. Why do we crave caloric foods? The answer lies in thermoregulation: our bodies burn more energy to stay warm, and complex carbohydrates (like those in legumes) are long-lasting fuel. Also, don't underestimate the psychological power of a steaming stew on a dreary day.

🌲 6. Flora and fauna in survival mode

Deciduous forests lose their leaves, bears hibernate, and birds migrate south. Winter is a master 's degree in biological adaptation . In Spain, species like the chamois and the badger reduce their activity to a minimum, while trees like the oak and beech enter dormancy. But not everything is passive: plants like holly and moss take advantage of the winter humidity to bloom. Curious fact: lichens , those symbiotic organisms on rocks and tree trunks, are most visible in winter... and can withstand temperatures as low as -70°C!

🏂 7. Winter sports: adrenaline on ice

Skiers zooming down slopes, children sledding, skaters on frozen lakes... Winter sports are a social and economic phenomenon. In Spain, alpine skiing generates more than €500 million annually, according to Atudem (Ski Resort Tourism Association). But it's not all about speed: snowshoeing and ice climbing are gaining popularity. However, global warming threatens this sector: a study by the University of Zaragoza predicts that 30% of Spanish resorts could close before 2050 due to lack of snow.

🎄 8. Holidays that illuminate the darkness

From Christmas to New Year's, including the Three Kings' Day, winter is filled with celebrations that combine tradition and light . Why so many celebrations during the coldest season? Anthropologists attribute it to ancient rituals to "attract" the sun. In Spain, bonfires such as those of San Antón (January) or the Fallas of Valencia (March, at dusk) stand out. Let's not forget the Winter Solstice (December 21-22), celebrated from Stonehenge to today's neo-pagan communities.

🤧 9. Health: flu, colds, and winter fatigue

Winter is peak season for respiratory viruses . Seasonal flu affects between 5% and 15% of the Spanish population each year, according to the ISCIII (National Institute of Health). The reason? The cold dries out the nasal mucous membranes (our first line of defense), and we spend more time indoors, making it easier to spread the virus. But it's not all bad: winter also improves conditions like rosacea and reduces the activity of allergens like pollen.

🌫️ 10. Unique meteorological phenomena

Dense fogs enveloping cities, black frost on roads, temperature inversions trapping pollution... Winter unleashes a catalog of atmospheric events that challenge our daily routines. One of the most unusual is lake-effect snow : when cold air masses pass over unfrozen lakes, loading them with moisture and dumping heavy snowfall inland . In Spain, this phenomenon is rare, but in places like the Great Lakes in the US, it can accumulate meters of snow in hours.

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