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The author isn’t worried about the takeoff speed in that quote; he’s thinking about the increased duration of the flight as stiff winter headwinds (at cruising altitude) decrease the aircraft’s groundspeed.

Prevailing surface wind direction doesn’t vary much with season.

A longer flight against with headwinds will require more fuel. Taking off with more fuel from a shorter runway will require the pilot to inflict even more bare-knuckling violence on the passengers.

I think he is referring to the jet stream at altitude, which is stronger during the winter.