WEATHER REPORT

What is the Coriolis Effect and how does it affect you?

Image: Nikolas Noonan

While talking about the weather might have bad press, no one can resist the awe-inspiring allure of a powerful storm or a display of lightning against a pitch-black sky. And even if this raw demonstration of the power of nature frightens you - or you just find it boring, the myriad of subtle intricacies of atmospheric phenomena are bound to catch your eye.

Here are 10 curious facts about storms and weather phenomena to quench your sense of wonder, and - hopefully - leave you a bit more appreciative of nature's grandeur.

Image: Johannes Plenio

Each year, Earth experiences about 1.4 billion lightning strikes. These bolts of electricity can reach temperatures of up to 30,000 Kelvin (53,540 degrees Fahrenheit), hotter than the surface of the sun. This violent phenomenon occurs when electrical imbalances build up within clouds or between clouds and the ground. The thunder that follows a lightning bolt is caused by the rapid expansion of air around it, and it can travel from 15 to 30 miles from the point where the strike occurred. In fact, if you count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and its sound, and divide it by 5, you can approximate the distance in miles to the source of the lightning. Just make sure you are in a safe place while counting!

Image: NOAA

Tornado Alley, a loosely defined region in the central United States, sees more tornadoes than any other place on Earth. This area, stretching from Texas to South Dakota, experiences frequent tornado activity due to the collision of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cold, dry air from Canada. The combination of these air masses, along with the presence of the Rocky Mountains to the west, creates an environment ripe for the formation of these formidable wind vortexes. If you happen to live in an area prone to tornadoes, just don’t try to emulate Dorothy, or you might end up much farther away than the Land of Oz.

Image: NASA

Did you know that hurricanes are given names to help with communication and awareness? The use of names for hurricanes dates back to the 1950s and helps to avoid confusion when multiple storms are active simultaneously, as names are much easier to remember than numbers or technical terms. The World Meteorological Organization generates lists of names that are rotated every six years, except for particularly destructive storms, whose names are retired forever.

Image: Matthieu Joannon

Haboobs are massive dust storms that occur in arid regions, such as the Sahara Desert and the southwestern United States. These towering walls of dust can reach heights of 4,921 feet and travel at speeds of up to 60 mph, engulfing everything in their path. Haboobs typically form when cold downdrafts from thunderstorms hit the ground and kick up loose, dry soil and sand. These intense dust storms can reduce visibility to near-zero levels, posing serious dangers to motorists and even disrupting air travel.

Image: John Middelkoop

The Fujita Scale, developed by Dr. Ted Fujita in 1971, measures the intensity of tornadoes based on the damage they cause to human-built structures and vegetation. The scale ranges from F0 (light damage) to F5 (incredible damage), with wind speeds exceeding 300 mph for the most severe tornadoes. In recent years, the original scale has been replaced by the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale), which incorporates modern engineering and construction standards to assess tornado damage more accurately.

Image: Noah Silliman

Throughout history, people have relied on old sayings and common knowledge to predict the weather. From "red sky at night, sailor's delight" to "ring around the moon means rain real soon," these sayings often contain kernels of truth based on observable atmospheric patterns. Even when most are - more likely than not - not scientifically accurate, they prove that humanity has always been intrinsically connected to weather patterns.

Image: Ryan Arnst

Atmospheric rivers are narrow corridors of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere that can transport vast amounts of water vapor across long distances. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in global weather patterns and can lead to heavy rainfall and flooding whenever they make landfall. Scientists believe that changes in global temperatures and atmospheric humidity will increase the intensity and frequency of weather phenomena caused by atmospheric rivers in the next few years.

Image: JOSHUA COLEMAN

The Coriolis Effect is a phenomenon caused by Earth's rotation, which deflects moving objects, including air and water, to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This effect influences the direction of winds and ocean currents, shaping global weather patterns. For this reason, large currents of air and powerful weather events like cyclones display either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction of motion depending on their position in the globe.

Image: Chris Gallagher

El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which refers to fluctuations in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. These large weather patterns can directly influence the climate around the globe, affecting precipitation, temperatures, and storm activity. While El Niño events are marked by an anomalous warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, in contrast, La Niña events are characterized by cooler-than-average temperatures.

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

Hailstorms occur when strong updrafts in thunderstorms carry raindrops into colder regions of the atmosphere, where they freeze and accumulate layers of ice before falling to the ground. The size of hailstones can vary widely, ranging from pea-sized pellets to golf ball-sized or larger projectiles capable of causing significant damage to property, crops, and vehicles. The largest hailstone ever recorded fell on the town of Vivian, South Dakota, during an extraordinary hailstorm, and it was larger than a bowling ball, measuring 7.87 inches in diameter and weighing almost 2 pounds!

LISTEN YOUR WAY BACK TO BALANCE

You Should Be Listening To These Podcasts

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Ever since podcasts were created, their popularity has grown non-stop and the reasons are plenty. For starters, podcasts allow you to learn new stuff while you do something else. Podcasts keep you entertained as you get something else done.

Moreover, podcast productions today range from history to science, from literature to gossip. Even psychology is a whole different category within podcasts. And these can be quite helpful if we are trying to get some useful advice on how to lead a better and more balanced life. So, here are ten podcasts you should be listening to if that is your case!

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Hosted by M.D. Mark Hyman, this podcast is within the category of health, but it goes far and beyond that. In this podcast, Hyman leads listeners on an exploration of the profound link between food and health. Maybe you are thinking: "Oh, not another dieting podcast," but this is not the case.

Hayman’s approach is rooted in functional medicine, a discipline that addresses the root causes rather than just providing treatment for different illnesses. He has a holistic perspective that focuses on human and environmental well-being as he understands that true health encompasses more than just what we put on our plates, it is all about nurturing our bodies and minds within the natural world.

You can listen to new episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

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Hosted by Dan Harris, this podcast offers a unique and refreshing take on mindfulness and meditation. After having a panic attack on live national television, Harris gave meditation a chance despite his skepticism. This podcast is a testimony of his journey and how his initial stand on meditation turned into a powerful transformation.

"Ten Percent Happier" is different from other podcasts due to its pragmatic approach. Interviews with researchers, teachers, neuroscientists, and leaders are the means to show how practical tools and techniques can make your life easier.

Harris doesn’t shy away from addressing the challenges and misconceptions surrounding meditation, nor does he claim to have all the answers. Instead, he invites listeners to join him on a journey of exploration and self-discovery. Listen to new chapters every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning!

Image: Madison Oren

"Health has become overcomplicated, I aim to simplify it," states its host, Rangan Chatterjee. Today, considering how fast the world moves, the quest for well-being can seem like an elusive pursuit. This podcast works as a refreshing antidote to the chaos, providing practical advice and actionable strategies for navigating life’s challenges with grace and resilience.

Chatterjee acknowledges the deep connection between mind, body, and soul and he takes a holistic approach with a keen focus on addressing the root causes of health. Listen to inspiring stories from health leaders and personalities that aim to debunk common myths surrounding well-being.

Nutrition, lifestyle, and more, this podcast will help you incorporate small (and not so small) habits into your daily routine to make mindful choices to lead a better-balanced life.

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This name may ring a bell to you and that is because The Minimalists, Joshua Fields Millburn, T.K. Coleman, and Ryan Nicodemus are Netflix stars and New York Times bestselling authors.

The Minimalists aim to show people how simplicity and purpose can be a transformative experience.

Through this podcast, the group explores the profound intersection of minimalism and intentional living, offering a roadmap to a life filled with greater joy, meaning, and fulfillment. Even if a part of it tries to convince listeners to declutter their physical spaces, its final goal is much deeper than that: it tries to show us how the minimalism principles can be also applied to other areas of our lives.

Whether they are discussing the liberating power of letting go of material belongings or the importance of cultivating meaningful connections, their message resonates deeply with listeners seeking a more meaningful way of living.

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In her podcast, Sarah Hart-Unger shares insights, tips, and personal experiences related to planning, productivity, and intentional living. She discusses various aspects of planning, including time management, organization, goal-setting, and self-care. Sarah’s approach is practical and relatable, she draws on her own experiences as a busy working mother, physician, and podcaster now.

One of the strongest points of the podcast is Sarah’s ability to blend productivity strategies with self-reflection and mindfulness. Through candid conversations and solo episodes, she encourages listeners to get things done, but also to cultivate a sense of intentionality and purpose in their daily lives. This podcast covers a wide range of topics of modern busy life, listen to a new chapter every week!

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This podcast is produced by BBC Radio 1, and hosted by VickHope and Katie Thistleton. In it, they cover a wide range of topics and offer advice on various aspects of life including mental health, relationships, career development, and personal finance.

Vicky and Kate provide a friendly approach to discussing these topics, often sharing their own experiences and inviting guests to offer their expertise and insight. Delving into how personal growth intersects with broader societal issues, the podcast aims to provide practical advice and support to help listeners navigate daily life more smoothly and efficiently.

Even if its target audience skews towards young adults, its insights are universal and resonate across age demographics.

Mind you, this podcast ended in the fall of 2020, but it came back with a few post-pandemic mini-series with some useful tips to make your life more eco-friendly.

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If you are handling your personal organization just fine, if you are an expert at handling anxiety and meditation is already a habit for you, but you struggle with cleaning, then this podcast is for you.

In it, Kerr offers practical advice, tips, and tricks for cleaning and maintaining a tidy living space. Listeners can submit their cleaning-related questions to Jolie who answers them with expertise and humor. Whether it is tackling tough stains, organizing cluttered spaces, or finding the right cleaning solution, Jolie provides helpful guidance to help listeners achieve a clean and organized home.

This podcast doesn’t air new episodes anymore, but the more than a hundred already posted are enough to get you going!

Image: Austin Chan

In a world where fear often holds us back from pursuing our dreams and reaching our full potential, this podcast serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement. Hosted by Ruth Soukup, Do It Scared offers an empowering and transformative journey for listeners seeking to overcome fear and live a life of purpose and fulfillment. With a warm and relatable approach, Ruth dives deep into the heart of fear, exploring its roots, its impact on our lives, and most importantly, how to conquer it.

Whether it is starting a new business, pursuing a passion project, or making a major life change, Soukup guides listeners to overcome adversity, sharing valuable insight and strategies for building confidence. Learn how to harness the power of fear and turn it into fuel for pursuing your dreams.

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This podcast hosted by Jesse Ewell covers a wide range of topics like nutrition, fitness, marriage, relationships, kids, business, and spirituality. Before creating this podcast, Jesse Ewell had a more than twenty-year career as a personal trainer and gym owner but decided to take a turn and go after a new life.

This new life includes inspiring people to learn about how a habit is formed and how we can all benefit from strong foundations when it comes to big changes and decisions. He understands that long-term choices require commitment and certain strategies to keep a sustainable approach.

Jesse maintains engaging discussions and expert interviews to break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand principles.

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This isn’t an average neuroscience podcast, it’s a deep dive into the inner workings of the human brain, led by neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman. With a focus on understanding how our brain influences everything from perception to behavior and health, this podcast offers a fascinating journey into the complexities of the nervous system.

In his podcast, Huberman translates complex scientific concepts into digestible insights for listeners. He discusses the influence of vision and breathing on human behavior and explores some tools for optimizing neural plasticity.

An interdisciplinary approach is the key, neuroscience, psychology, and physiology together blend into a holistic approach to understand how the brain interacts with the body and the environment.