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.
Don't Eat Red Berries From the Wild
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that you shouldn’t eat anything in nature unless you’re positive it won’t be harmful to you and your body. There are different kinds of berries in the wild that are poisonous to humans. For example, Holly berries can cause vomiting, whereas dogwood berries are usually eaten by birds, but are not safe for humans to eat. Another berry called the cotoneaster berry can actually cause someone to have a seizure.
If any of that happens, you’ll want to call poison control and make your way to the hospital as soon as possible.
If There's a Funnel Cloud in the Sky, Get Inside Quick!
Most of us would agree that funnel cake is not only delicious, but it brings us a lot of joy. Other the other hand, funnel clouds bring along fear and danger. These clouds are in the shape of a cone that protrudes out of storms but doesn’t reach the ground. As with any other cloud, funnel clouds are made of droplets of water that are condensed together. If you see that the cloud is rotating, there is a good possibility that it could turn into a tornado.
When and if the funnel cloud touches the ground, it has now become a tornado. Cold air funnels are not typically threatening, however, funnel clouds formed from warm air are the ones to watch out for.
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 You Hear Rushing Water, Run to High Ground
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.