If it’s been raining a lot, you’re near a stream or river, and you hear a roar of rushing water, get to high ground immediately. It’s likely that a flash flood is about to spill out in front of you and, considering that floods are the second most deadly form of severe weather (in the U.S.), you don’t want to be caught in it.
Flash floods are incredibly powerful. They can roll boulders, level buildings, uproot trees, and drag bridges. Broken dams, failing levees, and heavy rain can all cause flash floods. Unfortunately, rain is only romantic until it takes away half the road.
A Wall Cloud in the Sky Means Stay Alert
On a nice sunny day, you may go out and lay on the grass, looking up at the sky and watching the white clouds slowly move by. It might be a good idea to spend the day until you see a wall cloud. If you’re not sure how to identify them, look for clouds that sit lower than the rest. Thunderstorms can be up to five miles long.
When the air quickly rises, it makes the pressure drop below the storm which causes the formation of the wall cloud. This could mean serious danger if and when the cloud begins to rotate because it could mean that a destructive tornado is about to tear apart everything in its path. I’m sure we’ve probably all seen The Wizard of Oz, and we know what happens there.
Five-Toed Paw Prints and Scratched Trees Means Bears Are Near
If you find yourself traveling through bear country, it’s always good to be safe and on the lookout for bears. Seeing paw prints in the dirt that are quite large with five toes and a set of claws. They are somewhat in the shape of a diamond. Another indication that one is close by would be if you see scratches on the trees.
Another sign of bears is when you see tufts of fur and their scat. If you come across either of these signs, stay on high alert. If you happen to run into a bear, you’ll want to avoid eye contact as much as possible, speak in soft tones, and slowly wave your arms, making you look as big as possible.
If the Ocean Starts to Roar, Get to a High Point
The ocean is by far one of the most beautiful scenes out there. The sounds the waves make are very calming, but sometimes they can be extremely loud which may mean that there is a tsunami on its way. You can either float in the ocean, or it can swallow you whole. They are powerful enough to not only hold up ships but make them sink as well. If you’re unsure whether there is a tsunami coming, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Most tsunamis are typically caused by an underwater earthquake, a meteorite can crash into the ocean and can launch a wave around the entire world. Approximately 3.5 billion years ago, a very large asteroid hit the Earth, causing giant tsunamis to develop.
Red Skies Are a Weather Indicator, Day or Night
There’s a common saying that the color of the sky can predict the weather: “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.” Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning.” But you may be wondering, is there any truth to this? The answer is, yes, a little bit. The red color comes from the sun reflecting off water vapor and dust particles in the air, which can indicate the weather.
Weather normally moves from the west to the east. The timing of the red sky can predict upcoming weather. When seeing red skies at night, it means that comfortable and nice weather is coming because the dust particles usually mean there is a high-pressure system. With that being said, if the sky is red at sunrise it may mean that the good weather is about to pass, and a low-pressure system and a storm are coming in from the west.