Question 1

What causes winter?

Accepted Answer

Winter happens because the Earth is tilted on its axis. When one part of the Earth tilts away from the Sun, it's cooler there, so we have winter!

Question 2

Why does it snow in winter?

Accepted Answer

Snow happens when the air is cold and there is enough moisture. The moisture freezes into tiny ice crystals that stick together to form snowflakes.

Question 3

How do animals survive the cold winter?

Accepted Answer

Many animals have thick fur or feathers to keep warm. Some animals like bears hibernate, which means they sleep a lot to save energy.

Question 4

What is hibernation?

Accepted Answer

Hibernation is like a long, deep sleep that some animals do in winter. It helps them save energy because food can be hard to find in the cold months.

Question 5

Why do trees lose their leaves in winter?

Accepted Answer

Trees lose their leaves to save energy and water. Without leaves, trees need less water and can survive the cold winter better.

Question 6

What are icicles and how do they form?

Accepted Answer

Icicles form when water drips down from something like a roof and freezes. Each drop freezes and adds to the icicle until it gets long and pointy.

Question 7

Why do we see our breath in winter?

Accepted Answer

When we breathe out, there's warm moisture in our breath. In the cold air, that moisture turns into tiny water droplets we can see, like a little cloud.

Question 8

Are all animals active in winter?

Accepted Answer

Not all animals are active in winter. Some animals, like squirrels, stay active and gather food, while others, like frogs, stay hidden until it's warmer.

Question 9

Why do days get shorter in winter?

Accepted Answer

Days are shorter in winter because the part of the Earth where we live is tilted away from the Sun. This means the Sun is out for a shorter time.

Question 10

What is frost and how does it form?

Accepted Answer

Frost is what happens when water vapor in the air freezes on surfaces like grass and windows. It looks like tiny white crystals.

Question 11

Why do some animals migrate during winter?

Accepted Answer

Some animals migrate to find food or warmer weather when it's too cold. Birds, for example, fly to warmer places where they can find more food.

Question 12

What is the winter solstice?

Accepted Answer

The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. It happens in December and marks the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Question 13

How do people prepare for winter weather?

Accepted Answer

People prepare by wearing warm clothes like coats and hats. They might also use heaters to keep their homes warm and stock up on food just in case.

Question 14

What are some fun winter activities?

Accepted Answer

Some fun winter activities include sledding, building snowmen, and having snowball fights. Ice skating and skiing are also popular in snowy areas.

Question 15

How can you tell if it's going to snow?

Accepted Answer

You can tell it's going to snow if it's really cold, and the weather forecast says snow is coming. Sometimes the sky gets cloudy, and the air feels damp.

Question 16

Why does it sometimes get very windy in winter?

Accepted Answer

Winter wind often happens because of the temperature changes between warm and cold air. This change can make the air move fast, creating wind.

Question 17

How do we stay safe during winter storms?

Accepted Answer

To stay safe, we should stay indoors and keep warm. If we go outside, it's important to dress in layers and be careful on slippery ice.

Question 18

Do all places on Earth have winter?

Accepted Answer

No, places near the equator are warm all year and don't have winter like we do. They might just have a rainy season instead.

Question 19

What happens to insects in the winter?

Accepted Answer

Some insects huddle together to stay warm, while others find sheltered spots. Many insects survive the winter as eggs, waiting for spring to hatch.

Question 20

Why does water freeze in winter?

Accepted Answer

Water freezes in winter because the temperature drops below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). At that point, liquid water becomes solid ice.

The Science of Winter: Weather, Wildlife, and Wonders - 20 FAQs Explained Simply