Winter brings a flurry of folklore and advice about surviving cold temperatures, but how much of that conventional wisdom actually holds water? Many of the tips we've heard our entire lives are more fiction than fact.

Contrary to popular belief, cold weather itself doesn't cause colds and flu. These viral infections spread from person to person, with winter conditions merely creating environments that make transmission easier. Researchers have found that viruses can survive more effectively in colder, darker conditions, and our immune systems temporarily become less robust in low temperatures.

One fascinating myth concerns predicting weather through animal behavior. Many people believe cows lying down signal an incoming snowstorm, but meteorological experts confirm this is nothing more than coincidental behavior. Cows rest frequently for numerous reasons unrelated to impending precipitation.

Salt's interaction with ice presents another misunderstood phenomenon. It doesn't actually "melt" ice, but instead lowers water's freezing point, allowing it to remain liquid at lower temperatures. Similarly, snow can surprisingly fall at temperatures slightly above freezing, between 0-2°C, challenging the standard belief that snowfall requires sub-zero conditions.

Perhaps most shocking are the misconceptions about survival in extreme cold. Falling into freezing water doesn't guarantee instant hypothermia, as many might assume. In reality, a person might have up to an hour before hypothermia sets in, with the primary immediate risk being drowning from the initial shock.

Even exercise during winter isn't the health risk many assume. While cold weather does require additional cardiovascular effort to maintain body temperature, outdoor physical activity remains safe and beneficial when approached intelligently.

Understanding these myths helps us navigate winter more confidently, separating scientific fact from generational folklore. By approaching cold weather with knowledge instead of fear, we can stay safer and more informed during the chilliest months.