Myths About Weather and the Environment Debunked

Oct 24, 2010
Toby Welch

Stay With Your Car if Stuck in a Blizzard - Sondrekv

Knowing what to do and not to do when bad weather strikes or when you're outside will help keep you safe. Let's see if those myths are true or false.

Are those myths we hear about the weather and the environment correct?

Myths About Storms

Tornadoes never strike big cities.

FALSE. According to information on Environment Canada’s Web site, “Tornadoes don't respect urban environments. Winnipeg has been hit by tornadoes a dozen times, with one death. Regina has been struck 18 times, with 28 deaths in 1912. Edmonton has been hit 18 times, with 27 deaths in 1987.”

It's dangerous to talk on the phone or take a shower during a thunderstorm.

TRUE. When lightning strikes, the electrical surge will travel along any convenient pathway, including wires and pipes. If the surge flows through the water pipes while you're in the shower, you could get a painful zap. And if you're on a corded landline phone, you could get a jolt. ( Safety.com, The Official Safety Site of the Internet)

Since we recently had a 100-year flood, I will be safe from flooding for another 100 years.

FALSE. Such catastrophic floods can happen multiple times over the course of a century and in consecutive years, according to the Pima County Regional Flood Control District.

Having metal on your body (ex: glasses, backpack, watch, zippers, keys, jewellery, etc.) attracts lightning to you.

NOT REALLY. According to Danny Blair, PARC-MB Hydro Climate Change Research Professor Department of Geography at the University of Winnipeg, “Small metal objects in contact with your body are not too problematic, but it is definitely not a good idea to be in contact with metal objects that are above your head (golf clubs) or in contact with the ground (bicycles). Metal is a very good conductor of electricity, thus, it is not a good idea to be in contact with metal during a lightning storm. The bottom line is this: minimize your exposure to the lightning, whether it is coming at you directly from the sky or indirectly from the ground or a tall object nearby.”

Lightning never strikes the same place twice.

FALSE. According to the NASA Public Safety article Lightning Often Strikes Twice , lightning often strikes the same place more than once.

Lightning strike victims are electrified and you should not touch them.

FALSE. The human body does not carry an electrical charge and victims need first aid immediately. (Verified by Medicine for the Outdoors by Paul S. Auerbach, MD.)

Myths About the Sun

You can’t get a sunburn on a cloudy day.

FALSE. Clouds, fog, mist, and even a smog haze don't block the UV rays that cause sunburn. As the World Health Organization points out, up to 80% of the sun's rays get through light cloud cover.

You can’t get a sunburn in the shade.

FALSE. UV rays can be reflected off of snow, water, sand, and even concrete, resulting in a sunburn, even in the shade. The World Health Organization explains that fresh snow can reflect as much as 80% of the sun's rays.

The sun’s rays are strongest around lunchtime.

TRUE. They are the most potent from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Myths About Winter Weather

If an avalanche is coming, get out of the way.

TRUE. But considering that avalanches can travel at speeds over 200 km/h, you might have a better chance if you try to find a safe escape to the side than to beat the monster snow pile down the slope. The Utah Avalanche Center suggests, "If you're descending on skis or snowboard, try heading straight down hill to build up some speed, then angle off to the side off the moving slab."

If your car breaks down in a snowstorm, get out and seek help.

FALSE. If this happens, pull off the road, put on your emergency flashers, and stay in your car until help arrives. Take a minute to make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow if you are running the car to stay warm. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, leave a window slightly open. (Confirmed by Merchants Insurance Group)

To read about more safety myths, check out:

Safety Myths About Being on the Road

Myths About Violence and Crime Debunked