First Snow is a piece of digital artwork by Kay Novy which was uploaded on January 18th, 2017.
First Snow
Was taken in Petrifying Springs Park which is located in Kenosha county, Wisconsin in the USA.... more
by Kay Novy
Title
First Snow
Artist
Kay Novy
Medium
Digital Art - Photography
Description
Was taken in Petrifying Springs Park which is located in Kenosha county, Wisconsin in the USA.
Winter is often associated with plunging temperatures and icy weather, but its impact and timing changes according to location. Most people think the coldest season begins during the winter solstice, but there are in fact two definitions of winter. Let's take a look at this cool time of year.
The coldest season of the year, winter comes between autumn and spring. The farther an area lies from the equator, the colder temperatures it experiences. Temperatures in equatorial regions stay relatively constant despite the shifting seasons. This is because, due to the curve of the Earth, the equatorial areas get more sunlight, according to the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program.
Most people refer to astronomical winter when they refer to the season. Ranging from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox, astronomical winter has to do with Earth's position around the sun. During the winter solstice � which falls around December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) � the path that the sun travels in the sky reaches its lowest point. It is the shortest day of the year, and has been noted and celebrated by a wide variety of cultures around the world.
During the winter solstice, the corresponding pole is tipped about 23.5 degrees away from the sun, according to the NWS. On that day in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is farther from the heat-producing star, while the Southern Hemisphere, which experiences summer, is closer.
But anyone who regularly engages in winter sports might tell you that winter weather tends to fall before the middle of December or June. Meteorological winter falls sooner, spanning the three-month period from December to March, according to NOAA. Based on weather such as snow and ice, meteorological winter doesn't rely on Earth's journey around the sun. While astronomical winter begins on the same date for the whole hemisphere, meteorological winter comes earlier for those farther from the equator.
Winter brings many changes to the world around it. During winter, some animals migrate, which means moving to another area for a season's time. Usually, animals go south to warmer areas during the winter. In response to global warming, some bird species now arrive in spring breeding grounds earlier, and lay eggs earlier, according to a report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). In Europe, some birds that normally migrate have stopped migrating altogether, according to the report.
Species movement has to do with changes in habitat, as well, Keith Peterman, a professor of chemistry at York College of Pennsylvania, and Gregory Foy, an associate professor of chemistry at York College of Pennsylvania, explained to Live Science. Migration isn't just about staying warm. Animals can be forced out of their normal habitat because of changes in their food supply and introduction of new bacteria or viruses (due to the change in climate) where they have poor resistance.
Others animals begin a period of hibernation during the winter, passing much of the season in a near-sleep state. Because many plants die or are dormant, animals may stockpile food to help them through periods of want.
In addition to changing their locations and habits, some animals may also change their appearance. Animals such as hares and foxes may change their coloration to blend into snowy landscapes better. For example, the snowshoe hair is brown during warm months, but then turns white to blend in with the snow, according to National Geographic. Other animals might grow thicker fur to help them to stay warm.
Although winter tends to be a hard time for animals and humans alike, some winters host more extreme weather than others.
Uploaded
January 18th, 2017