Winter has officially arrived, which means in some places bitter cold winds and freezing rains and sometimes snow are also on the horizon. You would never even conceive of leaving the house without a heavy sweater or coat in overcast climates, however surprisingly, many people don't think to take their sunglasses. Although many of us don't think about the shining sun when we are battling the frigid cold, the sun is still a present danger in colder climates, and sometimes can be even more powerful.

On occasions that you find yourself snowed in, it is wise to be even more careful. Particularly in the aftermath of a serious snow fall, the blanket of snow covering the ground, trees and everything else in sight, actually magnifies the reflection of the sun's rays. In fact, for many it can hurt to open your eyes when you first step outdoors following a heavy snowfall. The UV exposure that many people are so vigilant to avoid during the summer can really be more hazardous in the wintertime due to the fact that it bounces off the snow or ice, resulting in a second exposure. This is the reason sunglasses are a crucial part of your winter attire.

Although you want to look great in your shades, the most important part of selecting sunglasses is being certain they provide adequate protection against UV. Make sure they are 100% UV blocking by checking for confirmation that they block all light up to 400 nanometers - UV400. The good news is you don't necessarily have to purchase designer glasses for full protection from UV rays. Dozens of affordable brands are made with total UV defense.

Another important consideration in selecting sun wear is frame size. You will have the most protection when the lenses are large enough to totally cover your eyes and the areas around them. The larger the surface area covered by your sunglasses, the less harmful radiation will be able to penetrate. Lenses that wrap around the temples will also stop radiation from entering from the sides.

Just as most people are aware that sunglasses are essential to wear at the beach since the water reflects UV radiation, this is also true for wintery water as well. Therefore it is just as essential to wear sunglasses during times when you go out in wintery conditions. Also ultraviolet exposure is stronger at greater elevations such as mountain ski slopes.

Be informed about adequate eye protection all year round. Don't forget to wear your shades.