Book: Stormy Weather by Anita Ganeri

Credit: http://www.amazon.com/Stormy-Weather-Horrible-Geography-Ganeri/dp/0439944538

This is a great book to prevent yourselves from being the victims of the storms or tornados!

Anita Ganeri introduced this topic by explaining how the storms are actually formed. One of the most stunning fact that I had read in this book is about the real shape of the rain drops. All of us thought that a rain drop has a shape of circle with pointed part on the top. However, according to this book, it is actually in the shape of a semicircle!

The real shape of a rain drop

This shocking fact made me realize that anything I know presently might be wrong! One main question I think about; Is history that I learned right? Absolutely I have to investigate about it deeper before I could reach a conclusion. This incident instigates me to think wisely and motivates me to learn more about anything. Maybe I can know much better compared to now.

Another useful information I got from this book is on how to be safe during a storm. All the do's and don'ts are listed in it. If we are trapped in an open place such as field, we have to crouch down to avoid being struck by the lightning. However, it is dangerous to lie down flat on the ground as the wet ground may be a good conductor to our body. Wearing wellington boots are also useful as they are good electrical insulators.

What if we are trapped in the cars or airplanes? Well, we are actually in a perfect condition! Don't worry as the metal body will conduct the lightning around and outside, not inside. Thus, although we will have a bumpy ride if we are in the airplane, we will be less likely being struck by the lightnings.

Have you heard about a person who have survived in a tornado? On May 3 1943, a tornado struck Roy's house in Texas. He and his children were panicked, and they quickly gathered in a bedroom although they were really scared. When they felt the tornado was going to hit them, he closed his eyes tightly. But after a few seconds, he opened his eyes and amazed! The sky above him was really clear, and they were actually inside the eye of the tornado! This actually occured because of the movement of tornado. It actually hops, not slides. Thus, it is not impossible to survive in a tornado. Yet, the chance of survival is really low. Never expose yourselves to them just to be in the eyes; you will kill yourselves!

Generally, this book is a great book for both children and adults. For those who are interested in the field of geography, it is a fun book to learn about the storms. On the other hand, it is also important to know about the ways to prevent ourselves from being the victims of storms and tornados.