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 on the horizon. For parts of Europe. . . Thursday 6 August 2026
Temperature Radar showing the night-time lows in Central Europe. Cooler air is reaching the west and north in particular, whilst the south-east remains significantly warmer.
Thursday 6 August 2026

For parts of Europe

Cooler nights on the horizon
Late season views as summer rolls on. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 9 August 2026
Split image showing a horseback ride along a green hillside trail beneath blue skies on the left and a small sailboat on a calm coastal bay under broken clouds on the right.
Sunday 9 August 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Late season views as summer rolls on
More comfortable night's sleep. Overnight low drops. . . Wednesday 5 August 2026
Morning temperature map of the UK and Ireland showing cool conditions, with temperatures ranging from 7°C in South Wales to 13°C in southeast England. Ireland records 9–12°C, while much of England and Wales is between 8°C and 10°C. A blue thermometer icon highlights the cooler weather.
Wednesday 5 August 2026

Overnight low drops

More comfortable night's sleep
All weather news
This might also interest you
A frozen start to the weekend. Icy conditions. . . Friday 13 February 2026
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
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
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
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