What It Is Chapped lips occur when the skin on the lips becomes dry, rough, or cracked due to moisture loss. How It Works Lips have thinner skin than most other areas of the body and do not produce oil. In cold weather, moisture evaporates from the lips faster than it can be replaced. Why…
What It Is Overdraft protection is a banking service that allows certain transactions to go through even when an account does not have enough funds. How It Works When a transaction would cause an account to go below zero, overdraft protection steps in. The bank may cover the difference using a linked account, credit source,…
What It Is Crunchy snow is snow that makes a sharp, squeaking, or cracking sound when walked on in very cold temperatures. How It Works Snow is made of ice crystals with small air spaces between them. When temperatures drop very low, these ice crystals become harder and more brittle. Why It Happens Cold temperatures…
What It Is Warping happens when a cutting board bends or twists instead of staying flat. How It Works Most cutting boards are made from wood or wood-based materials. These materials absorb moisture and release it as they dry. If one side of the board absorbs or loses moisture faster than the other, the board…
What It Is Watery eyes in cold wind happen when the eyes produce extra tears to protect the surface of the eye. How It Works Cold air and wind increase evaporation from the eye’s surface. To prevent dryness and irritation, the tear glands release more tears. Why It Happens The eyes respond to cold wind…
What It Is The available balance is the amount of money that can be used right now from an account. How It Works The available balance starts with the account balance and then subtracts any pending charges, holds, or withdrawals that have not fully processed yet. Why It Happens Available balance exists to show how…
What It Is The statement balance is the total amount owed on an account at the end of a billing period. How It Works During a billing cycle, purchases, fees, and credits are added to the account. When the cycle ends, the total of those charges becomes the statement balance. Why It Happens The statement…
What It Is Wind makes cold temperatures feel colder by increasing how quickly heat is removed from the skin. How It Works The body constantly releases heat into the air around it. When the air is still, a thin layer of warmer air stays near the skin. Wind blows this warm layer away and replaces…
What It Is Doors stick in summer when they become harder to open or close because the door or frame has slightly changed shape. How It Works Most doors and frames are made from wood or wood-based materials. Wood absorbs moisture from the air. When humidity rises, the wood swells, reducing the space between the…
What It Is Dry hands in winter happen when the skin loses moisture faster than it can replace it, leading to roughness, tightness, or cracking. How It Works Cold outdoor air contains less moisture than warm air. When skin is exposed to this dry air, water evaporates from the surface more quickly. Why It Happens…