Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    As it gets colder: Build-up of static electricity

10:00
9 January 2024

As it gets colder
Build-up of static electricity

If you're wondering why you're suddenly receiving an abundance of electric shocks accompanied by static, fly-away hair, we're here to explain why.

In the cold weather, your hair is often electrically charged. One main cause of this, is low humidity.

This is because cold air can absorb less moisture than warm air. The air in winter is not only drier outside than in summer, there is also low humidity in your heated homes.

When the body becomes electrically charged due to friction, this charge can flow off more poorly in winter, than when the air humidity is high in summer.

When brushing your hair for example, negatively charged electrons are transferred to the comb. Positive charge collects up to the tips of the hair and since like charges repel each other, the hair "flies" away from each other, and towards the comb.

The same effect can be observed when a hat is pulled off the head or a sweater is pulled over the head, which we are often doing during this time of the year!

Tips to help your static hair:

  • Slightly moisten your hands with water and hold them close to your head! The hair will discharge itself from the moisture, even if you don't directly touch it.
  • Stroke lightly over the electric hair with a make-up remover, cleaning cloth, or even tumble-drier sheet! The contained moisture helps the hair immediately.
  • Briefly touch your hair with hands after moisturising with hand cream.

In general, your hair and your skin should be given special care in winter, but particularly amidst the dry, cold weather we are currently seeing.

It is important to provide the skin with sufficient moisture in creams, in addition to applying sunscreen, drinking plenty of water and eating nutritious meals.

It's getting colder through the week, so you're likely to be experiencing more static electricity than usual, stay up to date on the TemperatureRadar!

Cold days and nights to come!
Cold days and nights to come!
6 tips for the coldread more
More on the topic
Cooler nights and lower dew points. Less oppressive heatwave. . . Thursday 9 July 2026
Split image showing the London skyline in hazy golden sunset light in the left and an overnight temperature map of the UK and Ireland on the right, with minimum temperatures ranging from 13°C in northeast Scotland to 18°C in southern England.
Thursday 9 July 2026

Less oppressive heatwave

Cooler nights and lower dew points
Heatwave versus storm system. Contrasts in Europe. . . Tuesday 7 July 2026
A temperature map of Europe showing a major heatwave in the south-west and significantly cooler air in the north. Two thermometer symbols illustrate the stark contrast in temperature.
Tuesday 7 July 2026

Contrasts in Europe

Heatwave versus storm system
Summer in full flow. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 5 July 2026
Split image showing golden crepuscular rays streaming through sunset clouds over the countryside on the left, and glowing blue noctilucent clouds above silhouetted trees and traffic lights at twilight on the right.
Sunday 5 July 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Summer in full flow
All weather news
This might also interest you
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
New records for England and Wales. Broken again tomorrow?. . . Thursday 25 June 2026
Temperature map of southwest Britain on 25.06 showing extreme heat across southern Wales and southwest England, with Bute Park in Cardiff highlighted at 34.2°C and Yeovilton at 36.4°C amid widespread deep red heat zones.
Thursday 25 June 2026

Broken again tomorrow?

New records for England and Wales
Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands. Storm and rain. . . Friday 12 December 2025
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList