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
Tropical storm hits Mexico. Ahead of the World Cup. . . Monday 8 June 2026
A small weather map showing satellite imagery and precipitation over Europe. A red warning triangle with an exclamation mark is displayed in the bottom left-hand corner. The map shows numerous blue, yellow and orange weather symbols indicating active precipitation or areas of thunderstorms. The graphic conveys a general weather or severe weather warning.
Monday 8 June 2026

Ahead of the World Cup

Tropical storm hits Mexico
Spring records for England & Wales. Above-average warmth. . . Tuesday 2 June 2026
Split graphic showing a European temperatures anomaly map on the left with widespread warmer-than-average conditions, and a UK and Ireland heat map on the right displaying intense heat with temperatures exceeding 30 °C.
Tuesday 2 June 2026

Above-average warmth

Spring records for England & Wales
Colourful skies and video moments. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 7 June 2026
Split image showing a bright blue sky with scattered white altocumulus clouds above trees on the left, and a rainbow arching over a windy gray sea beneath dark storm clouds on the right.
Sunday 7 June 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Colourful skies and video moments
All weather news
This might also interest you
Happy New Year. Hello 2026. . . Wednesday 31 December 2025
Illustration of white and yellow fireworks on a blue background.
Wednesday 31 December 2025

Hello 2026

Happy New Year
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
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