What is winter?
Winter is one of the four seasons, which begins in late autumn and ends in early spring. In Brazil, it starts on the 20th or 21st of June and ends on the 22nd or 23rd of September .
It is the coldest season with falling temperatures and, in some places, snowfall. The word “winter” comes from the Latin hibernu , which means “winter time”.
When does winter start?
The winter solstice marks the beginning of the season that lasts until the spring equinox.
At that moment, a part of the Earth is less illuminated by the sun’s rays, giving rise to shorter days and longer nights.
For this reason, in the terrestrial hemispheres, the seasons happen at different times, with the winter dates in each one being:
- Southern Hemisphere : also called the southern winter , it starts on June 21st and ends on September 23rd.
- Northern Hemisphere : called the boreal winter , it starts on December 22nd and ends on March 20th.
What are the characteristics of winter?
- Cold and dry climate
- Low air humidity
- Shortage of rain
- Strong winds
- Frost and snow
- Shorter days
- Longer nights
It is worth noting that it is very common at that time to increase respiratory diseases, as well as infections. This is because the characteristics of the station favor the presence of bacteria and viruses.
Winter in Brazil
In Brazil, winter begins on June 21 and ends on September 23 . In most parts of the country, the winter is not severe due to its location in relation to the Equator.
The most intense cold is felt especially in the South Region, where it can snow and temperatures become negative. As a curiosity: in 1996, the state of Santa Catarina registered a temperature of -16 ° C.
In the North, located in an area of intertropical convergence, there is a lot of rain in the winter.
This is because it is a place with many rivers and dense vegetation. As a result, the temperature drops, but not enough to prevent water evaporation and cloud formation.
The Importance of Winter for Life on Earth
Winter, like all seasons, has its importance for the balance of nature. Without it, it would be impossible to renew life on the planet.
Some animal species, for example, hibernate in winter, that is, they sleep for a long period of time, since in some places food becomes scarce at that time.
In the same way, for vegetation, this season is also very important for renovation. At that moment, due to the low temperatures, the trees live only with what is necessary for their survival, dropping their leaves and fruits.