Winter

Why does it get dark so early in winter?

During the winter months, the earth’s axis, which is tilted at 23 degrees, is pointed away from the sun. This means the northern hemisphere receives less of the sun's warming rays, thus giving us colder and shorter days. Around December 21, the axis is pointed as far away as possible, and is known as the Winter Solstice. This is the shortest day of the year and our first day of winter.

How should you dress for winter hiking?

When hiking in cold weather, regulating your body temperature is the key to staying warm. It’s easier to stay warm than it is to get warm once you’re chilled. One of the best ways to stay warm and avoid annoyance, hypothermia and frost-bite, is to layer your clothing. Layering helps release sweat and trap heat. Being able to adjust your insulation by adding or removing layers is vital to comfort and managing your temperature. A breathable, moisture-removing base layer (polypropylene fabrics), an insulating middle layer (wool or fleece) and a waterproof, wind-breaking outer layer are your best bets. Remember that hands and feet are most vulnerable to cold; Non-cotton socks, waterproof/insulated boots, gloves and hats are valuable during winter hikes. Avoid cotton fabric, as it takes a long time to dry and will not keep you warm once it gets wet. A good way to perfect how to dress for cold weather exercising is to try a winter hike, and find out what works best for you.

There are hardly any insects outside during the winter. Where do they all go when it gets cold?

Each species of insect has developed some way of surviving cold weather.  Some insects migrate, like monarch butterflies and milkweed bugs, while some insects stay put all year-round, like lady bugs, cluster flies, elm leaf beetles and box elder bugs. They find shelter in places like hollow logs, under rocks, or even in people’s homes.

Some insects spend winter in an immature stage as eggs, larvae or pupae, like bag worms, cicadas, June beetles and large silkworm moths. Young, immature insects are smaller and thus have much less water in their bodies. Less water means a higher tolerance for lower temperatures.

Some insects seek protective spots and become dormant (a bit like hibernation), like yellow-jackets and mosquitoes.  Some insects, like the darkling beetle, have body fluids that act like antifreeze. These solvents, called cryoprotectants, prevent fatal ice crystals from forming inside the insects’ bodies.

Some aquatic insects remain active year-round and spend winter as immature youngsters in quick flowing streams that don’t freeze all the way to the bottom.