Winter is definitely one of the most beautiful seasons. Both children and adults are looking forward to it, because frosty snowy weather in winter always cheers up.
Classification of natural phenomena: examples
Climatic anomalies are classified according to the nature of their origin, impact, duration, scale and regularity. By themselves, natural phenomena represent any natural meteorological change.
They are geomorphological, biogeochemical, cosmic and climatic in origin. The most common are the latter (rain, typhoon, etc.). And the most beautiful of them are winter natural phenomena (examples: snow, frosty patterns).
In Asia and America, cases of geomorphological phenomena (tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes) have recently become more frequent.
By duration, meteorological anomalies are divided into instantaneous, short-term and long-term. The first include a volcanic eruption and an earthquake, the second - a flood, rain, squall, and the third - the drying up of a river or climate change. As for regularity, according to this criterion, natural phenomena can be seasonal.or daily.
The greatest danger to human life is represented by natural meteorological phenomena - tornado, typhoon, lightning. These may include winter natural phenomena (examples: snow flurry and abnormal frost).
There are quite interesting rare phenomena in the outside world. Among them are the moon rainbow, halo effect, star rain, aurora and many others.
What characterizes winter: examples
This time of year is considered to be the most severe period in the northern latitudes. It is worth noting that closer to the equator, winter comes in June-July. This is due to the tropical climate and the polarity of the planet.
One of the first signs of the approach of winter are slight frosts and short daylight hours. Winter weather in the countries of the Northern Hemisphere, especially in Russia and Scandinavia, is sometimes striking in its ruthlessness. For example, in Norway, the air temperature can drop to -45 degrees, and in Siberia, even to -70 degrees. But how beautiful nature is in winter (see photo below)! This is especially true of wild forests and high mountains.
In addition, with the approach of this season, there are such winter natural phenomena as low clouds, lack of wind, frost. The most frequent climatic anomalies since mid-December are snow, snowstorms, snowdrifts, black ice and others.
Winter events: frost
The weather in the Nordic countries is very cold at this time of the year. In winter, frosts there can reach a threshold of -60 degrees and below. In countries with moderateclimate, weather conditions are more tolerant and mild (up to -20 oС).
Frost is considered to be air temperature that falls below 0 degrees Celsius. This is the so-called freezing point of liquid (water).
Frost as a natural phenomenon can be categorized as:
- weak (up to -3 oС);
- moderate (up to -12 oС);
- significant (up to -22 oС);
- fierce (up to -43 oС);
- extreme (up to -54 oC);
- abnormal (below -55 oC).
It is worth noting that frosty weather in a dry climate is much easier to tolerate than in a wet one.
Winter events: snow
Precipitation in frosty weather occurs in the form of crystallized drops of water. During the passage through the cold layers of the atmosphere, moisture particles freeze, stick together and fall to the ground. This phenomenon is called snow. It is considered the most frequent occurrence in winter after frost.
It is worth noting that each snowflake does not exceed 5 mm in diameter. However, exceptions (up to 30 mm) have been repeatedly observed in nature. Snowflakes are different in shape. First of all, this concerns the interweaving of faces. Despite this, they all have perfect symmetry and clear contours. Each snowflake is a hexagon. This formation format is determined by the shape of the water molecule, which has 6 faces. That is why, as a result, ice crystals, connecting and growing in the atmosphere,create a perfect hexagon. Also, the shape of a snowflake is affected by humidity and air temperature. The higher the first indicator and lower the second, the larger and fancier the outline will be.
Snowfall in winter plays a very important role. Snowdrift flooring holds heat well, preventing plants and insects from dying in severe frost. Also, the snow creates a sufficient supply of moisture so that the flora can wake up in time in the spring.
Winter events: snowstorm
This natural phenomenon is the transfer of snow from the surface by strong winds. At the moment, there are 3 types of blizzards: low, general and snow.
Snow storms (see photo below) raise ice particles to a certain height from the earth's surface, due to which visibility deteriorates noticeably. If the vertical cover layer is about 2 meters, such a snowstorm is called a blowing snowstorm. With it, horizontal visibility is almost zero. On the other hand, the sky and clouds are clearly visible. The wind speed during a downstream storm is about 10 m/s.
During a general blizzard, snow is transported in the surface atmospheric layer. The movement of particles of frozen water occurs for kilometers up. At the same time, horizontal visibility can reach more than 2 meters. It is not possible to determine celestial bodies. Wind speed during such a snowstorm exceeds 12 m/s. At the same time, there is excellent both vertical and horizontal visibility. This phenomenon is most often observed insnowfall. Wind speed varies from 4 to 6 m/s.
Winter events: Ice
This natural anomaly is directly related to precipitation. Do not confuse it with ice. These are two different concepts.
Ice is a cover of frozen water (when snow melts or after rain). Appears only with a noticeable decrease in temperature. Formed even at 0 degrees.
Ice is the formation of an ice crust on trees, ground, wires, which is associated with precipitation on a frozen surface. This phenomenon occurs most often during a sharp warming in the upper atmosphere.
Ice is considered one of the most dangerous meteorological phenomena on earth, as severe injuries and car accidents are associated with it. Nevertheless, such winter natural phenomena for children are especially interesting and long-awaited, because you can skate and sled on ice as much as on a skating rink.
Growing ice occurs in a matter of hours. But its destruction is extremely slow. Most often, this process is delayed for several days.
Winter events: freeze up
This process occurs only in water bodies. Its duration varies depending on the landscape zone and air temperature. Freeze is the formation of a frozen layer of water. The cover begins to form when the temperature in the river (lake) drops to zero degrees. It is worth noting that in shallow water it forms much faster. The optimal conditions for the emergenceice layer are low air temperature and lack of wind. In a snowstorm, cover is formed only near the coast.
Such winter natural phenomena are very dangerous for humans. At any moment, the cover can crack, the probability of a tragedy during an ice drift is especially high. This process occurs on rivers with a fast current. Water begins to erode the ice and carry away its fragments further from the shore. Gradually frozen debris builds up due to the collision and forms thick hummocks.
Winter events: frosty patterns
Often, with sub-zero air temperatures, strange patterns form on the windows, as if painted with white paint. The structure of these formations is always tree-like. In meteorology, they are often called dendrites.
Frost patterns appear on glass as frozen water molecules when outside temperatures drop below 2 degrees. This is a kind of layer of loose, opaque ice. It should be noted that microcracks and scratches on the glass play an important role in the formation of patterns.
Dendrite crystallization always starts at the bottom of the window, because water molecules are affected by gravity. Scientists have proven that with relative humidity and a sharp temperature drop from plus to minus, such patterns can cover 1 square meter of glass in just a couple of hours.
Winter events: snowdrifts and icicles
Significant precipitation in sub-zero temperatures always entails large snowpacks. In most cases, snowdrifts are formed as a result of prolongedblizzards. There are sediments on any obstacles - be it a wall, a fence or a small stump. Snowdrifts resemble sand dunes, but are much looser and more lush. Formed on the leeward side of the obstacle.
An icicle is a piece of ice that hangs from any object (roof, branches, wires). It usually has a conical shape. It is formed during the melting of snow or runoff of water. Droplets quickly freeze under the influence of low air temperature, forming the final shape of an icicle.
Such winter natural phenomena are extremely dangerous for people with the onset of positive air temperatures. Also, icicles can fall down under their own gravity. In addition, thick ice formations often cause power lines to break and tree branches to break.
Rare winter natural phenomena
One of the most amazing climatic anomalies associated with this time of year is considered a snow storm. This phenomenon happens once every 10 years. Snowstorms occur due to a sharp increase in daytime air temperature. Fast-moving deep cyclones bring in moist, electrified air that descends on the cold ground in large masses with thunder and lightning.
Another rare phenomenon is considered a snow rainbow. This anomaly makes one wonder once again how unpredictable and wonderful nature can be in winter (see photo below).
Rainbows are caused by the refraction of the sun's rays on ice crystals that are suspended in the air. This requires 4 conditions:high humidity, severe frost, bright sun, no wind.
A snow flurry is considered a very rare but extremely dangerous winter event. Although in recent years, with climate change on the planet, this anomaly is becoming more common. A squall is a severe snow storm with a wind speed of more than 60 km/h. Such a storm is always marked by loss of life and serious destruction.
