Disaster movies are fun, but when they happen in real life things don’t look so adventurous and appealing anymore. The last thing you want is to be caught in the middle of a massive storm that you weren’t expecting. The good thing is that nature has its own ways to communicate when disaster is about to strike. If we’re aware enough, we can spot it and find different ways to avoid dangerous phenomenon and protect ourselves. Make sure you read through the entire article as each one has the potential to save your life or someone that you love. Be it square waves or funnel clouds, these are the signals nature is sending that should never be ignored!
A Patch Of Trees Bent Into A J-Shape
Now, not many of us are lucky (or unlucky) enough to experience this occurrence. Have you ever been on a hike in the middle of the woods, when you suddenly saw a few trees bent into a j-shape? Well, if that’s the case, you might have just escaped a pretty bad situation. J-shaped trees are a sign of an upcoming landslide.
It means that the ground moves very slowly, resulting in each tree growing in a very unusual shape. It also means that a potential landslide could happen at any moment, especially if there has been one there recently. So next time you go on a hike, stay alert, and be ready to go hike somewhere else if you do happen to see something similar to this image.
Beware Of The Ocean When Its Level Drops
When on a walk on the beach, we don’t usually pay attention to the little details of the sea. The sea’s immensity is marvelous, and that alone is usually enough to keep us distracted. But sometimes if you’re on a walk on a beach along the Pacific Ocean and the water suddenly starts receding, trouble may be coming.
In fact, you should get yourself to high ground as soon as you can, because a tsunami could be on the way. Tsunamis usually form around an earthquake that takes place underwater, displacing the water above. When that happens, waves can move as fast as 500 miles per hour, which is basically the speed of a jet plane.
A Huge Wall Cloud In The Sky
What is better than peacefully lying down on the grass and watching beautiful white clouds pass? But though clouds seem innocent and fluffy, they can also tell you much more about nature than you might think. If you see a wall cloud in particular, then you might want to find shelter as soon as you can. If you’re unsure of what this means, wall clouds stay a bit lower than the rest of the thunderstorm and can be pretty long – up to five miles.
When air rises quickly, it results in the pressure dropping below the storm, resulting in a wall cloud. This formation can mean that as the cloud rotates, a tornado could form, and well, that’s not great news is it?
Choppy Waters On The Beach? Go Somewhere Else
Rip currents (usually and mistakenly called rip tides) are some of the most underestimated powerful occurrences on the beach. Signs of it usually include choppy water on the beach, a section with discolored water, tons of debris and seaweed moving away from the shoreline in certain areas, or a big enough gap in the line of waves.
All of these signs could mean that rip currents are taking place, which basically means several channels of water brutally flowing away from the shore. Rip currents are responsible for the deaths of at least 100 people in the US annually, and also account for most lifeguard rescues. If you ever find yourself in the middle of one don’t swim against it, swim parallel to the shore.
If Your Hair Is Standing On End, Then Run
You might have heard of this one, but even so, it’s worth giving us a little reminder so that we do indeed take action. While lightning strikes are definitely rare, they happen, and when they do things aren’t fun. In fact, on a yearly basis, more people die from lightning strikes than from unprovoked shark attacks!
The good news is that since the 1940s, lightning deaths have considerably reduced, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore its warning signs. So, if all of a sudden you realize that your hair is standing on end, and maybe your jewelry begins buzzing, then a bolt of lightning could strike anytime somewhere near you. So grab yourself and whoever is with you and get to shelter as soon as you can.
If You See Animals Running Away, An Earthquake Could Be Coming
This one is something that has been passed down for ages. Ever since 373 BC Greece, it has been known that animals such as snakes, rats, or insects fleeing their homes rapidly and abruptly, mean that an earthquake may be on the way. Yet, these stories have never been backed by science, so many of us never really give them too much attention.
In a general sense, animals seem to be able to sense earthquakes a few seconds before humans, because they are able to feel tiny waves that we are not able to detect. Unfortunately, though this could be somewhat helpful, it doesn’t really give us enough time to prevent it.
A Roar Of Rushing Water Could Be A Problem
Imagine this, it has been raining for a couple of days, and you are located close to a river or a stream. All of a sudden, you hear a huge roar of rushing water. If that ever happens, take yourself and whoever is with you to higher ground right away, because there is a huge possibility that a flash flood is about to happen right in front of you.
Take into consideration that floods are one of the most deadly forms of severe weather, and you don’t want to be stuck in the middle of it. One thing the flash floods are known for is the fact that they are unusually powerful. The force of water is able to uproot huge trees, roll boulders, and destroy bridges. Things like falling leaves, constant heavy rain, and broken bands can all result in flash floods.
You Could Predict The Weather With The Ring Around The Sun
Though you might only see this one if you really pay attention, sometimes we are able to spot a heavenly glow around the sun. It may even look like a halo at times. These rings usually come about when super thin, high altitude cirrus clouds start drifting above you. Tiny ice crystals are formed, and when they split and create a reflection in the light they form a ring around the moon or the sun.
These types of clouds sometimes come just before a storm strikes, so they could also be a sign that a storm is approaching. No matter how clear the sky is, it’s worth being cautious.
If You Spot Some Fish On The Beach, Don’t Go In
Okay, all of us have probably seen a dead fish or two on the beach, which usually isn’t very alarming. But if you see a bunch of fish or any other animal dead on the shore, there is a possibility that the water is contaminated. A red tide could be happening near the beach, usually caused by one specific algae species called Karenia Brevis.
When the water has more algae than normal, that is usually called a red tide. The algae concentration could cause the water to be brown or even reddish, but not always. So if you do notice this strange encounter on the beach, make sure to stay away from the water.
If Your Dog Starts Acting Weird Around A Part Of Your Body, Go To The Doctor
Dogs are pretty good at letting you know when something is wrong. Though they don’t really speak our language, they have the most clever ways of communicating with us. So if you notice that your dog is constantly sniffing a very specific part of your body that he or she doesn’t usually do, you might want to get that checked out.
Their powerful senses allow them to sniff out any evidence of disease, including cancer. Scientists believe that what they smell is the organic compounds that come from cancer and have even proved that dogs can distinguish between cancer-free urine and cancer patient urine. There is no need to panic just be aware if this ever happens.
An Impending Avalanche Could Be On The Way If You See Cracked Snow
Snow is awesome until an entire avalanche suddenly tumbles down from the mountain top. They’re impossibly strong and really hard to escape when it actually happens. In fact, studies show that avalanches can move as rapidly as 80 miles an hour. But if you pay attention to the little details in order to sense it before it happens you might have a much better chance of escaping it and avoiding a bigger disaster.
For instance, when you walk in the snow does it ever feel hollow? Do you see any cracks or hear a random sound? Those could all be signs of an avalanche. Additionally, much warmer temperatures and really heavy rain or snow could also cause an avalanche.
If You Hear An Unusual Roaring Sound Coming From The Ocean, Move High Up
The ocean is a powerful and dangerous place. Sometimes, its beautiful and calming sound can be replaced by loud roars. If you happen to hear this sound, there is a chance that a tsunami is coming.
Although most tsunamis that happen around the world come as a result of an underwater earthquake, there is something else that could cause it. A meteorite can crash into the ocean and result in a wave around the whole world. In fact, some 3.5 billion years ago, an enormous asteroid hit the earth, resulting in gigantic tsunamis roaring in the ocean.
A Green Sky Could Be A Sign Of Really Severe Weather
If you ever notice that the sky is greenish then a thunderstorm may be on its way. This usually happens because when the sun sets, the red light intermingles with the blue light created by the thunderstorm. The green sky usually suggests that the thundercloud is pretty tall, warning us that hail or even a tornado could be approaching.
Just to be cautious, if you do notice this then you might want to stay indoors until everything seems safe again outside. Check the news, and if a tornado is approaching, going to the basement could be your best bet.
Square Waves Are A Sign That You Should Leave The Water
When two different wave systems run into each other, one of the wave systems continues although the wind shifts, resulting in a “cross sea”. Although this usually looks like something out of a movie, it can be utterly dangerous for surfers, ships, and swimmers. These cross seas are usually characterized by a really strong current underneath them, which is able to carry anyone or anything out to sea.
The water also becomes incredibly difficult for boats to navigate, resulting in a bunch of wrecked ships to this date. A place that usually has tons of them is the Isle of Rhe in France, though they can really be found anywhere.
Go To The Basement If You See Bands In The Sky
If cloud watching is a hobby of yours, then you might be familiar with some of these patterns. So, if you at some point see a line of rotating clouds stretching into a thunderstorm, make sure to find shelter. If you can stay away from windows you’ll be even safer, because there might be a tornado approaching.
These “inflow bands” usually indicate that a huge storm is building up in low-level air. They can mostly be found low in the sky, and usually stretch to the south or southeast part of the storm.
Don’t Go Into Cave During Full Or New Moon
Some incredible caves around the world are located along beaches, but only accessible when the tide is low. One day, you might find yourself roaming around and exploring a cave, but when you do, you should always be careful. If the tide suddenly comes in again, you could find yourself trapped in a watery cavern.
During a full or new moon, you should be extra careful. During these times, you may find yourself in the middle of a Spring Tide, which is able to pull you much more strongly than usual.
Don’t Eat A Mushroom That Has Grown Close To A Tree
It’s safe to say that in general, you should avoid eating random mushrooms you find in nature, you never know which ones are poisonous and which ones aren’t. The deadliest types of mushrooms come from the Amanita genus.
Because it is hard to distinguish them from other types of mushrooms, the Amanita genus usually lives near trees. So if you ever encounter a mushroom near a tree, especially in the wild, just stay away from it and refrain from eating it.
Refrain From Stepping On A Lake Covered In Gray Or White Ice
Remember that really common expression, “You’re walking on thin ice?” Well, figuratively and literally, this is not a situation you want to be in. During winter, if you’re planning to go skating or walking on a frozen lake, always make sure it’s safe to do so.
You might want to check the thickness of the ice, and you can also pay attention to its color, which should give you some important clues. If the color is white or gray, you might want to wait for it to become clear or blue.
Scratch Marks Accompanied With Five-Toed Paw Prints On A Tree Could Be Danger
Whenever you trek amongst the paths of bears, you should always look out for any signs of them in the area. Look out for huge paw prints on the mud with five toes and claws. They’re not only huge but also somewhat diamond-shaped and can come accompanied with scratch marks on several trees in the area.
Other signs such as their scat and tufts of fur can also be a warning that the animal could be around, popping up any time. If you do see a bear, make sure to avoid eye contact and do not run – just slowly wave your arms, talk low and slowly move sideways away from it.