It's official! Winter is here, which means in some places biting winds and frigid rains and sometimes snow are also in the forecast. You wouldn't ever think of leaving the house without a heavy sweater or coat in cooler climates, however surprisingly, a lot of people leave their sunglasses behind. Although the sun may not be our first concern when we are bundling up against the freezing winter climate, the sun's rays are still shining down in colder climates, and in many instances can be even more powerful.

They didn't write a song called "winter wonderland" for no reason. Especially following a blizzard, the blanket of snow covering the ground, trees and everything else in sight, actually intensifies the reflection of the sun. In fact, it can hurt to open your eyes when you first step outside following a fresh snowfall. The ultraviolet exposure that we are all so careful in avoiding during the summer months may really be more dangerous in the colder season since it bounces off the snow or ice, giving you a second exposure. This is the reason a good pair of sunglasses is a necessary part of your winter attire.

Although you want to pick a style you look good in, the most important consideration when selecting sunglasses is making sure they provide adequate protection against UV. Be sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV light by checking for confirmation that they block all light up to 400 nanometers - UV400. The good news is proper sun protection isn't necessarily expensive. Dozens of affordable options exist that still provide total coverage.

Another important consideration in selecting sun wear is frame size. You will have the most protection when your glasses are large enough to completely 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 get past your sunglasses. Wrap around frames will also stop radiation from sneaking in through the periphery.

Although it's much more commonly known these days that sunglasses are critical beach gear since the water reflects sunlight, this is also true for frozen water sources including ice and snow. Therefore it is equally essential to put on sunglasses during times when you go out skiing, ice skating or even taking a walk on a snowy day. Also UV radiation is more forceful at greater elevations such as mountain ski slopes.

This wintertime, keep warm and keep your eyes safe! Make your sunglasses a fixed part of your routine.