Do you like catching snowflakes with your tongue? Most people have done it before, but few know how snowflakes form. A snowflake is created when a cold water droplet freezes onto a dust particle in the sky. As the ice falls, water vapor freezes onto the original crystal, making up the six “arms” of a snowflake. Approximately 1 million billion snowflakes fall every second on Earth, and none of them look exactly alike! Each snowflake is unique!
Some of the more dangerous aspects of winter include snowstorms and blizzards. Surprisingly, they aren’t the same thing! A snowstorm becomes a blizzard when there is heavy snowfall with winds greater than 35 miles per hour. The Great Blizzard of 1888, the largest blizzard in U.S. history, had a death toll of over 400 people.
Some better aspects of winter include fun winter sports and activities. Of course, everyone knows firsthand how fun it is to go sledding, or build a snowman. Professionally played winter sports are also exciting to watch! The first Winter Olympics took place in 1924. Some of the very first sports played were skating and curling. However, the sports have expanded to include a few more, like snowboarding, skeleton, bobsled, and luge. No matter which winter sport or activity you enjoy, the Winter Olympics are always interesting to watch. The next one will be held in February 2026, in Italy.
Most people love winter because of one of the most famous holidays in the world! Christmas is on December 25th, and is a booming industry. Many popular songs and movies have been made about this holiday, like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” and the movies “Elf, and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The average person spends about $800 on Christmas presents each year! However, lots of trees are cut down each year for Christmas, which is causing environmental problems. People have begun to switch to fake Christmas trees because they can be reused.
And of course, just a few days after Christmas, New Year’s Eve arrives, and then the New Year begins! The new year begins when Earth completes 1 full orbit around the sun. January 1st became New Year when Rome’s dictator, Julius Caesar, made a new calendar based on the Sun. Then, the ancient people began writing New Year’s resolutions to decide what they wanted to accomplish this year.
No matter if you prefer snow or sun, make sure to drink hot cocoa, have fun in the snow, and binge-watch Christmas movies! Have a great winter break!
P.S. What’s on your Christmas wish list? Leave your wishes in the comments for a little extra Christmas gift magic!
Hannah Sit • Dec 19, 2024 at 2:56 pm
This is so good Naisha!! You absolutely cooked!!!