Astronomical winter arrives on or about December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. This is when the sun is located directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, located at 23 degrees 27 minutes south latitude in the Southern Hemisphere.

Meteorological winter usually lags behind about 25 to 30 days, resulting in the coldest time of the year to be around the last week in January. When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it will be summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

It takes 365.25 days for the Earth to make one complete revolution around the Sun. The earth's orbit around the sun is slightly ellipitical, with the earth closest to the sun on or about January 3, (Perihelion), 91 million miles. The earth is farthest from the sun on or about July 4th., (Aphelion), 94 milliom miles.

The earth is tilted on its axis of 23 degrees 27 minutes. The seasons are attributed to this tilt as the earth orbits the sun. In winter the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. there- fore, the nighttime hours are longer than the daytime hours. As the earth continues its trip around the sun, the sun will appear higher in the sky each day. The days will begin to become longer until on March 20, the sun will be directly over the equator, (Vernal Equinox), at this time the day and nighttime hours are each 12 hours long through-out the world, it will than be spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

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To survive winter, we must help ourselves and also help each other. There were more deaths from excessive cold over the past 30 years than from tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes combined. Fatalities from poisonous gases and vapors from wood and coal fires have increased during the winter months, from improperly installed or defective coal and gas heaters.

Studies indicate that there is a significant increase in deaths the week following a major winter storm. Past weather patterns show us that winter storms will continue to be killers. Winter deaths can strike without warning.

Transportation, communication and isolation make the elderly, infirm, and handicapped particularly suscepitible to failures of home heating and inadequate provisions of food amd medicine.

WINTER KILLS...Unpredictable weather is often the rule rather than the exception, particularly during the winter.

....Winter Watch For Kids....

Snowball fights, sledding down slopes and holiday presents are all fun, but winter can be dangerous too, if you aren't careful.

1. Fireplaces, woodstoves and space heaters are hot, don't play too close.

2. Dress carefully for playing outdoors: cap, mittens and boots.

3. Even on holidays, candles in windows are dangerous.

4. Tell mom and dad if you see any overloaded electrical sockets, and keep the Christmas tree away from heat. If your tree needs water, feed it.

5. Have extra blankets, maybe one on your bed.

6. At the store remind mom or dad to stock up on extras in case a storm strands everyone at home.

7. Know where your survival supplies are, flashlight, portable radio, first aid kit and emergency phone numbers.

8. Listen carefully to weather reports, so you can be prepared, and be home safely before a storm.

YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE WEATHER, BUT YOU CAN AFFECT ITS OUTCOME.

© 2013 Charles A. Giannetta

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