It’s freezing
When it’s really, really cold, often around -10°C or colder.
Polar vortex
A huge amount of very cold air that comes down from the Arctic, making things super chilly.
Layers
Wearing lots of clothes on top of each other to stay warm; the trapped air acts as insulation.
Sledding
Having fun by sliding down a snowy hill on a sled.
Tubing
Similar to sledding, but you slide down a snowy hill on a soft, bouncy tube.
Tobogganing
Sliding down a snowy hill on a long, flat wooden sled called a toboggan.
Tire chains
Metal chains you put on your car tires to get better grip on snow and ice.
Frostbite
An injury to your skin caused by extreme cold, when it literally freezes.
To shiver
When your body shakes uncontrollably because you’re cold, trying to warm itself up.
To brave the cold
To go outside even though it’s super cold, showing you’re strong and determined.
To be snowed in
When you can’t leave your house or a place because there’s too much snow blocking everything.
Windchill
How much colder it feels outside because of the wind, even if the actual temperature isn’t that low.
Cold snap
A sudden, short period of very cold weather.
White out
When it’s so snowy and windy that you can barely see anything, making driving dangerous.
Drifting
When the wind picks up snow from the ground and blows it around.
Snowdrift
A pile of snow created by the wind, often forming next to fences or obstacles.
Accumulation
The amount of snow that has fallen and built up on the ground or surfaces.
Snow day
When school is closed because of too much snow.
Snowplow
A big vehicle with a large blade that pushes snow off roads.
Salt and sand
Materials spread on roads to help cars get better grip on ice (salt melts it) and snow (sand provides traction).
Snow shovel
A tool you use by hand to move snow, usually large, wide, and lightweight.
Ice scraper
A small tool used to scrape ice off your car windows.
Snow brush
A tool used to brush and clear snow off your vehicle.
Donuts
Spinning a car in circles on snow or ice (dangerous!).
