Weather and meteorology have quite inspired early civilizations. The ancient Greek Mythology and weather have had a long lasting affair since quite some time. While human sacrifices have been made to the sun, many rituals have also been performed to bring rain. However, with scientists performing years of study on the unpredictable weather, Zeus did not control lightning, thunder, and rain. We bring you ten such weather myths, which are fortunately or (unfortunately for some) are not true.
Hot Weather does not cause Heat Lightning
If you were one of those who believed that heat lightning is caused due to hot weather, you might want to know that it is not true. Factually, heat lightning is lightning, which is distant from the observer. The Thunder is not audible to us humans because of the distance alone.
Weather and Earthquakes are not co-related
This myth dates back to the Greek Mythology when it was believed that earthquake only occurs during a certain kind of weather. There is no such thing as an earthquake weather. Earthquakes occur in the depths of the earth and cannot be related to the weather in any way. The next time, don’t blame the weather for the occurrence of an earthquake.
Staying inside does not make you safe during a thunderstorm
Well, it is quite obvious that you should not be outside during a thunderstorm. However, by merely being inside the house, you do not become completely safe. Do not use any wired appliances at any cost, you could watch that episode may be later. Also, taking a shower during a thunderstorm is also not advisable. Also, metal windows and frames are lightning conductors, so you may not want to be too close to them.
A Hurricane and a typhoon are the same
If you were always confused between the terms hurricane and cyclone, you might want to read this. Technically, there is no difference between a hurricane and a typhoon, both of these are tropical cyclones. The only difference is that tropical cyclones occurring in the East Pacific and Atlantic Oceans are called hurricanes and the ones in the West Pacific are called typhoons.
Lightning can strike far away from the storm
If you were thinking that you are at no risk of being struck by lightning only because you are not in the middle of the storm, you might want to check again. Lightning can strike up to 5 to 10 miles away from the storm. Thus debunking the myth that lightning only occurs close to the storm.
Earth is not farthest from the Sun in January
Most parts of the world, particularly the United States tends to be the coldest during January, except Australia of course where it is summer that time. However, this does not mean that the earth is the farthest from the sun during this month. In fact, the earth is the closest to the sun during this month. The actual reason is the Northern Hemisphere being tilted away from the sun during this month.
You can get sunburned even if it is not summer
If you stop using sunscreen once the summer season bids adieu, think twice. No matter what the season is, you are at significant risk of getting sunburned. In fact, during winter, the earth is closest to the sun during winters. Also, when you are visiting a hill station, wear a little bit extra sunscreen as higher the altitude greater is the risk of getting sunburned.
Raindrops are not shaped like tear drops
If you have lived half of your life believing that raindrops were shaped like tear drops, be prepared to laugh at yourself. When the raindrops are at their smallest size, they are spherically shaped. As they grow, and the drag force increases, they flatten and resemble more like a hamburger bun. When the drag force becomes high enough, the drops split into smaller raindrops.
It is not always a blizzard outside
Well, when a snow storm hits your area, do not make the mistake of calling it a blizzard. Just a bunch of snow falling for a short period cannot be categorized as a blizzard. Only when snow storms are accompanied by strong winds, and it occurs for a longer duration, at least three hours can you call it a blizzard.
Lightning can strike more than once at the same place
Do not believe anyone if they say that a bolt of lightning cannot strike twice over an area. The Empire State Building is struck by lightning at least 100 times in a year. A slow moving thunderstorm can strike lightning over a region multiple times.
Finally, we are pretty sure you know that it is not always sunny in Philadelphia.
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Featured Image Credit: telegraph.co.uk