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Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed > General Knowledge Trivia

How Much Do You Really Know About Winter? Take the Quiz!

Dive into our winter quiz: fun winter trivia questions & cold weather trivia - think you can ace it?

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for winter trivia quiz on dark blue background

This winter trivia quiz helps you check what you know about snow, weather, holidays, and the season's quirks. Play at your own pace, have fun, and learn a fact or two, then explore the winter time quiz or dig into snowflake facts for more cold‑weather wonders.

On which date does the winter solstice occur in the Northern Hemisphere?
December 20
December 22
December 23
December 21
The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere typically occurs on December 21, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. This occurs when Earth's axial tilt is farthest from the sun in the northern hemisphere. Occasionally leap year shifts can move it to December 22. .
Which celebration on December 13th features a procession of girls holding candles in Sweden?
St. Lucia Day
Walpurgisnacht
Epiphany
Midsummer
St. Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13th in Sweden and other Nordic countries. Young girls wear white dresses and carry candles to symbolize bringing light during the dark winter. The tradition honors Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr. .
Which animal is known for hibernating during the winter months?
Crocodile
Elephant
Bear
Kangaroo
Many bear species enter a state of hibernation during the coldest months to conserve energy. Their metabolism slows dramatically, allowing them to survive without eating. This adaptation helps them endure long periods of scarce food. .
What meteorological term describes a severe snowstorm with strong sustained winds and low visibility?
Snow squall
Blizzard
Avalanche
Whiteout
A blizzard is defined by sustained winds of at least 35 mph and visibility below a quarter mile due to blowing snow for at least three hours. It's more severe than a simple snow squall or whiteout. Avalanches, by contrast, involve snow sliding downhill. .
In which country did the tradition of decorating Christmas trees originate?
France
Germany
United States
Norway
The modern Christmas tree tradition began in Germany in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Martin Luther is often credited with adding candles to a tree to mimic starlight. The custom spread across Europe and later to North America. .
What is the common term for frozen raindrops that bounce upon impact?
Sleet
Hail
Freezing drizzle
Graupel
Sleet occurs when raindrops freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground, often bouncing on impact. Hail forms in strong updrafts within thunderstorms, and graupel is soft rime-coated snow. Freezing drizzle freezes on contact without bouncing. .
Which mythical figure is said to ride a sleigh pulled by reindeer?
The Grinch
Ebenezer Scrooge
Father Time
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is traditionally depicted riding a sleigh driven by reindeer to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve. This image was popularized in the 19th century and reinforced by literature and advertising. No other holiday figure uses a reindeer-pulled sleigh. .
Which winter sport combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting?
Nordic Combined
Biathlon
Modern Pentathlon
Skiathlon
The biathlon pairs endurance cross-country skiing with precision rifle shooting at targets along the course. Athletes ski loops and stop at shooting ranges, where penalties are assessed for missed shots. It's an Olympic sport since 1960. .
What is the albedo effect in the context of snow and ice?
Faster evaporation rates
High reflectivity of solar radiation
Increased precipitation
Heat absorption by dark surfaces
Albedo refers to the fraction of solar energy reflected by a surface. Snow and ice have high albedo, reflecting most sunlight and helping to cool the planet. When they melt, darker surfaces absorb more heat, leading to warming. .
Which chemical compound is most commonly used to de-ice roads in winter?
Calcium carbonate
Ammonium nitrate
Potassium hydroxide
Sodium chloride
Sodium chloride, or rock salt, is widely used to melt ice on roads because it lowers the freezing point of water and is inexpensive. Though less effective at very low temperatures, it's the most common de-icer worldwide. Alternative salts are used in extreme cold. .
What atmospheric phenomenon traps cold air and pollutants close to the ground during winter?
Jet stream
El Niño
Temperature inversion
Monsoon
A temperature inversion occurs when a layer of warm air sits above colder air near the surface, preventing vertical mixing. This traps pollutants and cold air, leading to smog and frost. Inversions are common in winter valleys. .
Which long-distance sled dog race stretches over 1,000 miles across Alaska's interior?
Kilimanjaro Ice Marathon
Yukon Quest
Barkley Marathons
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race covers around 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. It's held every March and tests mushers and teams against extreme cold, rough terrain, and remote conditions. It commemorates the 1925 serum run to Nome. .
On what date is Groundhog Day observed in North America?
March 21st
February 2nd
December 25th
January 1st
Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2nd. According to folklore, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if not, spring arrives early. This tradition has roots in ancient weather lore. .
What is the name given to permanently frozen ground in polar regions?
Tundra
Taiga
Permafrost
Pleistocene
Permafrost is ground that remains at or below 0 °C for at least two consecutive years, common in polar regions. It underlies much of the Arctic and can contain ancient organic matter. Thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases. .
What is rime ice?
Transparent black ice
Compressed glacial ice
Ice formed by supercooled water droplets freezing on contact
Small hailstones
Rime ice forms when supercooled water droplets in fog freeze instantly upon contact with surfaces. It creates a white, granular coating on objects like trees and power lines. This differs from glaze ice, which is clear and dense. .
Which meteorological phenomenon involves a large-scale circulation of cold air centered over the polar regions that can dip southward?
El Niño
Coriolis effect
Jet stream oscillation
Polar vortex
The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth's poles. When it weakens, lobes can push southward, bringing extreme cold outbreaks to mid-latitudes. It's a key driver of winter weather in many regions. .
In glaciology, what term describes compacted granular snow that is intermediate between snow and glacial ice?
Moraine
Crevasse
Névé
Firn
Firn is older, compacted granular snow that survives one melt season and gradually transforms into dense glacial ice. It is more compressed than fresh snow but less dense than solid ice. It's a key stage in glacier formation. .
Which classification in the Köppen climate system denotes a tundra climate?
ET
EF
Dfc
BSk
In the Köppen climate classification, 'ET' stands for tundra climate, characterized by at least one month with average temperatures above 0 °C but no month above 10 °C. These climates support only hardy vegetation. EF denotes ice cap, and Dfc is subarctic. .
What process describes the direct transition of snow into water vapor without melting?
Sublimation
Evaporation
Deposition
Condensation
Sublimation is the phase change in which solid water (snow or ice) turns directly into water vapor under certain conditions, bypassing the liquid phase. It commonly occurs in cold, dry, and windy climates. Deposition is the reverse process. .
Which chemical reactions on polar stratospheric clouds lead to ozone depletion?
Photosynthesis
Chlorine-catalyzed ozone destruction
Combustion
Nitrogen fixation
On polar stratospheric clouds, chlorine-containing compounds are converted into reactive forms that catalyze ozone destruction in the stratosphere every spring. These reactions accelerate the formation of the ozone hole. Nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis are unrelated. .
Which phenomenon describes the Arctic warming at a faster rate than the global average?
Greenhouse effect
Arctic amplification
Polar vortex
Jet lag
Arctic amplification refers to the phenomenon where the Arctic region warms more rapidly than the global average, largely due to feedbacks like reduced sea ice and snow cover. This leads to greater absorption of solar energy and further warming. It's a critical aspect of climate change. .
What term describes the formation of ice crystals directly from water vapor in very clear and cold conditions?
Snow pellets
Rime
Diamond dust
Graupel
Diamond dust consists of tiny ice crystals that form by deposition of water vapor under extremely cold and calm conditions, often near the poles. It sparkles in sunlight, hence the name. Rime and graupel form differently in clouds and fog. .
What is the key distinction between a blizzard and a ground blizzard?
Ground blizzard includes thunder and lightning
Ground blizzard only occurs at night
Ground blizzard forms in desert regions
Ground blizzard involves blowing snow without new precipitation
A ground blizzard is defined by wind-driven snow blowing from the ground rather than new snowfall from the sky. Visibility is reduced by loose snow, and it can occur without active precipitation. This contrasts with a classic blizzard, which involves falling and blowing snow. .
Which metamorphic process forms large, sugary crystals known as depth hoar near the snowpack's base?
Temperature gradient metamorphism
Melt metamorphism
Wind packing
Equi-temperature metamorphism
Depth hoar forms through temperature gradient metamorphism when heat from the ground and cold air above creates strong thermal gradients. Water vapor moves towards the colder surface, depositing large, faceted crystals. These weak layers can trigger avalanches. .
What feedback mechanism describes how reduced snow cover lowers albedo, leading to increased absorption of solar radiation and further warming?
Ice shelf feedback
Carbon cycle feedback
Water vapor feedback
Snow-albedo feedback
The snow-albedo feedback occurs when melting snow exposes darker surfaces, reducing the Earth's reflectivity. More solar radiation is then absorbed, causing additional warming and further snowmelt. This positive feedback accelerates regional and global climate change. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand winter weather phenomena -

    Explore the scientific basics of snowflake formation, frost, and ice crystals to grasp core winter trivia concepts.

  2. Recall record-breaking cold weather trivia -

    Remember key facts about historic temperature records and notable cold spells that make for compelling winter trivia questions.

  3. Analyze snowy science principles -

    Examine the processes behind snowfall and ice accumulation to better appreciate the science featured in winter trivia quizzes.

  4. Compare global winter traditions -

    Discover and differentiate cultural practices and celebrations from around the world to enrich your winter trivia knowledge.

  5. Apply winter trivia knowledge -

    Use your newfound facts and understanding to confidently tackle and ace any winter quiz or cold weather trivia challenge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Snowflake Symmetry and Formation -

    Snowflakes form hexagonal ice crystals because water molecules bond in a six-point structure; temperature and humidity determine the habit (e.g., plates near −2 °C, dendrites near −15 °C). A simple mnemonic, "Hexagons At −2/−15," helps recall these critical zones. This fact, referenced by the National Snow and Ice Data Center, often appears in cold weather trivia.

  2. Albedo Effect and Climate Impact -

    The albedo coefficient, ϝ, measures surface reflectivity and is crucial for understanding winter weather trivia: snow-covered areas have ϝ≈0.8 - 0.9, reflecting most sunlight and cooling the climate. You can calculate net reflected solar energy with the formula Q = ϝ·S, where S is incoming solar radiation. NASA Earth Observatory research shows that even a 1% change in albedo influences regional temperatures significantly.

  3. Earth's Axial Tilt & the Winter Solstice -

    The winter solstice occurs when Earth's axial tilt of 23.44° leans away from the Sun in the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in the shortest day of the year. Solar declination, δ, follows δ = 23.44°·sin[360°/365·(d−81)], where d is the day of the year. This formula, endorsed by NOAA, deepens your winter quiz knowledge and helps explain seasonal daylight changes.

  4. Wind Chill Index & Frostbite Thresholds -

    The wind chill temperature, Twc, is calculated with Twc = 13.12 + 0.6215T − 11.37v0.16 + 0.3965T·v0.16 (T in °C, v in km/h), estimating how cold it "feels" and assessing frostbite risk. For example, at −10 °C with a 20 km/h wind, Twc is about −21 °C, where exposed skin can frostbite in under 30 minutes. The National Weather Service uses this formula for cold weather warnings in winter trivia questions.

  5. Cultural Winter Festivals: Origins & Traditions -

    Many winter festivals, such as Yule (Old Norse jól) and Hanukkah (Festival of Lights), celebrate midwinter light and renewal, blending ancient rituals with modern customs. Remember "Lights in the Cold Bring Warmth in the Soul" to recall key festivals across cultures. The Smithsonian Institution archives detail how these traditions inform cold weather trivia and enrich your winter trivia quiz experience.

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