Imagine you’re taking a peaceful walk in the park, enjoying the sunny weather. Suddenly, you notice a bright white cloud growing rapidly in the sky. It quickly turns dark and dense, and a strong gust of wind blows your hat off. If your hair starts to stand on end, it’s time to run! You’re about to be hit by lightning.
When lightning is near, positive charges rise through your body, reaching toward the negatively charged storm. If you don’t act fast, these charges can meet, which could be dangerous. If there’s nowhere to hide, crouch down and make yourself smaller than nearby objects. Don’t lie flat on the ground, as it may be wet and conduct electricity. Other warning signs include sweaty palms, strange buzzing sounds, tingling skin, a metallic taste in your mouth, and the smell of chlorine, which is ozone created by the storm.
You can estimate how close a thunderstorm is by counting the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. Every five seconds equals about one mile. If the sky turns ominously green and you get hit by a massive hailstone, a tornado might be approaching. If you’re caught on the road, move away from your car to avoid it being thrown at you. Find a ditch, lie down, and cover your head. If indoors, stay away from windows and seek shelter underground if possible.
While walking along the shore, if the ground shakes and the water retreats rapidly, a tsunami might be coming. Head to high ground immediately. Tsunamis can appear as rapidly rising tides with underwater turbulence, pulling people under and tossing objects around. Look for bubbling, swirling water patterns as a warning sign.
If your dog is restless and the weather has been erratic, it might be a sign of an impending earthquake. Glasses clinking in the cupboard can indicate foreshocks. Earthquake lights, which are blue lights emitted from stressed rocks, may appear before the ground shakes. Some experts doubt their existence, but it’s worth noting. If you have a catfish, it might react to seismic activity by becoming restless.
Insects can sense storms; if they seem drowsy, seek shelter. Bees work harder before heavy rain. Square waves, where two wave patterns collide, are dangerous to swim in due to strong currents. Choppy waves with debris indicate rip currents. Avoid water with smelly green algae, as it might be toxic.
Before a hurricane, the sea can swell, and waves hit the shore every nine seconds. As the hurricane approaches, waves grow higher, and the sky fills with fluffy clouds. Eighteen hours before landfall, it starts to rain heavily, and the wind picks up. Twelve hours out, a powerful gale can uproot trees and flip cars. If sharks suddenly leave the area, it might mean a hurricane is near. Get to safety and warn others.
During heavy rains, a roaring sound might signal a flash flood. If you’re near a river, watch for debris and changes in water color. These are signs to move quickly to safety. In the wild, rapidly rising or falling water levels in creeks and rivers can indicate a landslide. If the water turns muddy, leave the area immediately.
By understanding these signs and taking quick action, you can stay safe during extreme weather events. Always trust your instincts and prioritize your safety.
Imagine you’re outside when a storm approaches. Create a role-play scenario with your classmates to practice the steps you should take to stay safe from lightning. Discuss and demonstrate the correct posture and actions to take when you can’t find shelter.
Use a stopwatch to simulate counting seconds between lightning and thunder. Calculate how far away the storm is based on your timing. Discuss with your classmates how this information can help you decide when to seek shelter.
Create a poster that illustrates the warning signs of a tsunami and the steps to take if you notice these signs. Use visuals and clear instructions to educate others on how to react quickly and safely.
Participate in an earthquake drill where you practice the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique. Discuss the importance of having an emergency plan and kit ready at home and school.
Keep a journal for a week, observing and recording weather patterns and any unusual animal behavior. Share your findings with the class and discuss how these observations might indicate upcoming weather events.
Lightning – A natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud. – During the thunderstorm, we observed a bright flash of lightning in the sky.
Thunderstorm – A storm with thunder and lightning and typically also heavy rain or hail. – The meteorologist warned that a severe thunderstorm would pass through the area this evening.
Tsunami – A long high sea wave caused by an earthquake or other disturbance. – The coastal town was evacuated due to the warning of an approaching tsunami.
Earthquake – A sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth’s crust or volcanic action. – The earthquake measured 6.5 on the Richter scale and caused significant damage to buildings.
Waves – Disturbances that transfer energy from one place to another, often seen in water, sound, and light. – The ocean waves were particularly strong due to the high winds from the storm.
Hurricane – A type of tropical cyclone with strong winds and heavy rain, typically forming over warm ocean waters. – The hurricane made landfall, bringing with it powerful winds and torrential rain.
Flood – An overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry. – After days of heavy rain, the riverbanks overflowed, causing a flood in the nearby village.
Safety – The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury. – During a storm, it is important to prioritize safety by staying indoors and away from windows.
Storm – A violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow. – The storm knocked out power lines and caused widespread outages across the region.
Currents – Continuous, directed movements of seawater generated by forces such as wind, temperature, and salinity differences. – Ocean currents play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate by distributing heat around the planet.
