Preliminary results from the Met Office OPAL survey about what winter cold really feels like produced something of a surprise. There is no strong evidence to support the myth that northerners are hardier than softie southerners, but there is a big difference between how country folk respond to cold compared to city slickers.
Climate scientists speculate that this may be due to the warmer microclimates in areas which are densely packed with buildings & vibrating traffic.
A quick glance at the survey form reveals that they are not collecting any information about how people travel. Anyone who lives in a rural area& uses public transport will be much more exposed to the elements; bus stops & railway stations provide at best only minimal cover from wind & rain. In town you rarely have to be outside for very long as you scurry from one building to another.
