Weather FAQ

Violent storms are also known as typhoons or hurricanes. They can result in millions of dollars worth of property damage and cause the deaths of thousands of people. The best you can do when disaster strikes is to prepare yourself and arm yourself with survival tips during super typhoons.

Preparing for the super typhoon

If there's any sign of a bad weather, tune in to a weather station for news advisories. Before the typhoon even strikes, be sure to have a good supply of water, food, and light source such as battery-operated flashlights, candles, and emergency lights. You must have a good supply of dry food and canned goods as well, and remember to keep a can opener handy. Gather items of clothing that can protect your from rain, cold, or any extreme weather condition. To protect your home, close the windows and secure the doors. Best of all, turn off propane tanks and utilities that use gas to prevent explosion once the typhoon starts to strike. Also remember to unplug home appliances to avoid fire accidents.

What to do during the super typhoon

Keep away from glass windows to avoid injuring yourself with flying objects. Also keep life jackets handy. To avoid flooding inside your home, check for water leaks and seal them off. Stay tuned to weather reports so you'll know what to do and if it's time to leave the house for evacuation. Don't wait until the water level (in case of floods) gets too high that it would be nearly impossible for you to get out of the house. Try to be calm because panic can likely cause mistakes with the way you handle emergency situations.

During disasters, authorities issue warnings and advisories. You should not ignore these, as these can save your and your family's life. Prepare for the worst thing that can happen. This would be the key to your survival.

Although it is a very simple device, thermometers are essential tools in weather forecasting.

How a thermometer (for weather) works

A thermometer shows us the air temperature. Most thermometers work by using a substance that expands when heated and contracts when cooled, such as alcohol, mercury, or certain kinds of metal. Alcohol or mercury is placed in a thin tube, with marking alongside the tube. When heated, the alcohol or mercury goes up the tube as it expands. The markings beside the tube show us the temperature, usually in Celsius and Fahrenheit. Other thermometers use a metal spring attached to a pointer. When this metal expands or cools according to the amount of heat present in air, the pointer moves to the corresponding temperature.

Types of thermometers used in weather monitoring

As mentioned above, thermometers can be of the alcohol, mercury (collectively known as expansion thermometers), or spring type. Digital thermometers can also be used for weather monitoring. These thermometers use a device called a thermistor to measure temperature, and display the temperature on a screen. Infrared or laser thermometers, which measure the temperature by detecting radiation emitted by objects, although not commonly used in weather monitoring, can be employed to detect clouds.

Regardless of the type of thermometer used, measuring air temperature is an indispensable part of weather monitoring.

Aside from being essential in many activities such as agriculture and fishing, weather monitoring is a highly educational activity. It’s also valuable in knowing how to prepare for floods, hurricanes, typhoons, or other natural disasters. Here are some information on how to get started.

Essential weather monitoring tools

You need not get very sophisticated equipment in order to monitor the weather. Most weather stations are equipped with the following basics: a thermometer, barometer, wind vane, anemometer, rain gauge, and hydrometer. A thermometer measures the temperature, while a barometer measures air pressure. The wind vane and anemometer provide information about the wind, with the wind vane showing you direction and the anemometer indicating speed. A rain gauge measures the amount of precipitation or rainfall. Humidity, or the amount of water present in the air, is measured by a hydrometer. With these basic tools, you can get a lot of information about the weather and the world around you. You can also buy portable weather stations that combine all these tools into one device. Weather radios will also alert you on any upcoming emergencies or disasters.

Tips when buying weather forecast tools

Check the range and accuracy of the equipment you plan to buy. Each tool should be able to monitor a variety of conditions. For example, a wind vane should have a range of 0-360 degrees to really show the direction of the wind. Get equipment that are easy to set up and use. This is especially true for portable weather stations that contain all the essential weather monitoring tools. A good weather station should also be very durable and able to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Shop around online and read customer reviews. Note the comments on the accuracy and durability of the weather forecast tools. Also find out about the equipment’s warranty, if any.

You don't have to be a psychic or a scientist to predict the weather.
Just look up and see how the clouds are forming. Clouds observation
can be your guide to weather forecasting.

Fair weather

Cirrocumulus clouds are white clouds at high altitude, from 1,500
feet to 45,00 feet. Though they are made of ice crystals, they
signal fair weather. Those high, thin, and wispy clouds are known as
cirrus clouds. They often indicate fair weather the same with those
fluffy cotton clouds known as cumulus clouds.

Rain and snow

Cirrostratus clouds are thin clouds that cover the sky. With these
clouds, there's a hint of the sun or moon, that are sometimes blocked
by other types of clouds. Thicker cirrostratus clouds can lead to
rain or snow. Unlike the cirrostratus clouds, stratocumulus clouds
don't cover the sky fully. The low, lumpy, gray clouds are seen in
patches or lined in rows. They can produce rain, but not at all
times. Nimbostratus clouds, on the other hand, are dark gray in
color and may indicate rain.

Storms

Altocumulus clouds are known as middle layer clouds that can lead to
thunderstorms when they form. If you see gray clouds with a hint of
blue, what you're seeing are the altostratus clouds that can help
predict storms. Meanwhile, stratus clouds are low layered. They can
lead to drizzles. Cumulonimbus clouds, however, can lead to
thunderstorms, hail, and possible tornadoes. These clouds come with
a flat base and an anvil top.

Amidst the ongoing war between Israel and Lebanon, the yearly climate of Israel still continues. What's interesting in Israel, aside from its notable grievances for the Lebanese people, is its small land area yet very diverse climate. Travelers who have been to Israel claim that the best time to go to that country is between September to October and March to April or what the Israel locals would refer as the Wildflower season.

Well, as you can see, it's really not a good time to visit Israel these days, with all the bomb and conflict happenings with Lebanon. Hopefully, when situations cool off, you should try visit and enjoy the surroundings of the Negev desert after the summer season in Israel. If you visit desert sites in summer, it's better to see them early morning. During winters, the desert places of Israel can get really cold and quite damp.

I hope that just like the fine season and climate of Israel, the conflicts and surging emotions of some Israelites would cool down. During the summer season in the country, tourists have a number of interesting activities to do in Israel. The country is also full of tourist attractions for tourists to discover and visit. Historical sites are also scattered across the country. If only the country's conflict with Lebanon would cease, the Israel is one very promising tourist destination.

Correct me if memory will fail me, but California seems to be preoccupied with affixing the names of various saints to its places as well as to its cities. Take a look at San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, Santa Monica. Hey, even one of its most famous city refers to angels. This is Los Angeles, of course, which, if you ask a Latino for a literal translation, will mean "the angels".

Where is this all leading to? Oh, nothing really, except that when the ground beneath your feet begins to shake violently (read: earthquake), you immediately point to the San Andreas fault, which, in case you live in far away Timbuktu, is probably one of the more popular, or should we say, notorious faults in the world. It also happens to be located in California and, if it is not yet obvious to those reading this, also happens to refer to a well-known saint, San Andres.

Which brings us to the major point of contention: that despite being located above one of the most active faults in the world, California has not yet been gobbled up (eaten is too weak a word) totally by the ground. Why is this so, when San Andreas is said to move strongly every 150 years? Could angels and saints have anything to do with this, saying litanies of prayers for the millions of souls inhabiting California, including the geeks and the weirdos, as well as the pimps and the paupers?

Unless you are a certified atheist, then you will not take a single letter of this piece as a distinct possibility.

Yesterday, we talked about agrometeorology. This time, let's cast a deeper look onto the effects weather has on plants, specifically flowers and trees. Apparently, flowers bloom and trees yield leaves in spring so it's understandable that they're inversely affected by the other three seasons. Among the seasons, it's winter that gravely damages perennials and arboreal species.

It's observable that evergreen trees' foliage turn brown when winter comes early because the cold wind dries up the leaves. Such scenario's apparent on yews, spruces, firs, and pines. They're greatly affected by minimal temperature and slow thawing cycle.

Meanwhile, roses and weigelas are sensitive flowers. When attacked by early winter or extremely low temperature, their shrubs don't reach the blooming stage. They gradually die because the nourishment freezes and the flow of nutrients inside the rose buds stops, thus the shrubs dry out. Meanwhile, perennials cannot withstand wet soils and die because of getting 'drowned' by moisture. Lastly, the Chrysanthemum morifolium species get easily 'suffocated' by cold winds.

Contrary to these species, there are flowers that seemed 'immune' to winter. An example is Delphinium that withstands cold temperature. Meanwhile, Russian sage and Butterfly bush survive even when buried on snow. These information are gathered from Iowa. It experiences unpredictable changes in seasons and demonstrates the perfect scenarios of winter's effects on plants.

Taking the term seriously, agrometeorology is about agriculture and meteorology. It delves in systematically studying the interaction betwixt meteorological and hydrological factors and placing the results thereof beside the vegetatological elements and spontaneous crop. The science sounds too difficult to comprehend, but if we look at the big picture, it simply means how vegetation is affected by various weather condition.

This science also includes a study of soils, a monitoring of the temperature, a continuous examination of water, and an overall perception on the vegetation. It is safe to say that plants, like humans, are also gravely affected by the drastic climate shifting which is why experts are conducting studies not only to discover how plants react to weather, but how help plants adapt to the weather as well.

The information gathered from the experiments are useful not only to agriculturists, but environmentalists also. It studies energy and hydrogen balance through simulations that yield estimations on crop growth, while evapotranspiration is done to have a clearer picture of the possible weather effects. The data describe phenomena and helps in improving our knowledge of the events in places with low quality atmosphere and superficial soil. Agrometeorology is also concerned with natural hazards such as runoff, erosion, landslides, and man induced dangers such as pesticides and toxins mixed with soil.

I am the type of person who loves staying outdoors. Reading books or listening to the radio is just not my thing. I prefer to go on exciting hiking trails, fishing trips, cruising, etc. Sometimes, I just drive around with no definite destination. However, there's just one slight problem. I can't do all my hobbies without worrying about the weather. Needless to say, I have to know the weather forecasts before I can go on one of my explorations.

You must admit that you can't always stay glued on the television or radio. More often than not, you find yourself in front of the personal computer. Well, I am speaking based on experience. Thus, I had such a pleasant surprise when my friend introduced me to Intellicast Desktop Application.

The said software helps me plan my outdoor activities. How is this possible? The said program keeps me alerted about severe weather, climate changes, etc. It also brings radar imageries on my desktop computer. Other features of the Intellicast Desktop Application is that it has expanded display for current conditions, single clicking on tray icon can open the program, current temperature is displayed in its system tray, and it comes free of charge! It doesn't even pester you with advertisements.

After some time, do you still like the sun? I mean, the heat of the burning sun is becoming more and more unbearable these past few years. Add to that the fact that global warming invades the earth. Oh well, we might as well shield ourselves from the scorching heat. On the other hand, we should also be concerned with our health and the real impressions of the sultry sun on our bodies.

We cannot dissociate the sun from ultraviolet radiation. Hey, it is not the same as with the Ultraviolet action movie. I am talking of the invisible rays emitted by the biggest star in our solar system. It is public knowledge that such rays are harmful to living organisms, and so, weather bureaus have painstakingly devised an index of the UVR.

The index is read as low, moderate, high, very high, and extreme. They indicate the level of our vulnerability to the broiling sun. Depending on the hours of our exposure, the index determines the level. The interval of the numbers that accompany the readings are 2,3,2. So, it starts with 0 hours. But, according to the experts, the degree of radiation varies every day, according to the latitude of one's location, or the season. This is very apparent in our current weather condition. So, I guess I will have to stay indoors for some time.

It just so happened that I was walking down the alley one cold night when the winter snowflakes began to fall. A nephew of mine was walking beside me when all of a sudden, he asked just why we did not hear a thunder prior to the snowfall when it often thunder before the rain falls. I stopped walking for a while, contemplating on that inquiry, and I was dumbstruck that I had to search for the answer on the Internet.

Actually, I was not so sure with what to answer that night. But, if I am not mistaken, we do not hear thunder in winter season. To satisfy the curiosity of my nephew, I looked for the answer online. There, I learned that lightning and thunder often, or do not really appear during winter for the reason that there is less moisture present in the air. Hmmm, that would be a very complicated matter to explain to kid. Anyway, I rather had it put this way. Since lightning requires heat for it to develop, it fails to come about in winter when the heat is frozen. The heat that we are talking of here is the same heat carried by water or the evaporated water that reaches the atmosphere. Remember, when summer, we experience water deficiency. Just where do you think this heated water goes? Up in the atmosphere, of course. There, they still carry the heat that made them evaporate, and when the proper time comes, the become heavy and fall. But, prior to the rain fall, the accumulated heat stored in the water molecules try to escape the jammed pack of clouds, thus, their struggling causes molecules to crash with each other creating lightning and thunder. Now, if you happen to live in the breathtaking Greenland country, you will probably be innocent of thunder. Hey what I meant was, thunder will never occur on your place. So, the snow will fall minus the signal - thunder and lightning.

Allow me to pay more attention on the effects of extreme cold weather to our health. It is undeniable that half of the world experience extreme winter season. There are cases when in the middle of the climatic change, casualties are reported since human bodies just cannot survive this type of weather. Such reports prompted me to inform you, my dear readers, of the serious threats winter pose on us.

The countries that are most affected of the winter season are those near the Arctics, especially Russia and the great European continent. Often than not, they experience the massive and deadly cold weather once every year. Although they have devised means to keep themselves warm, still the danger is high. In some parts of these countries, cases of hypothermia or frostbite is reported.

Hypothermia, as the name implies, means less heat. Our bodies, during excessive cold temperature, gradually slows down, thus the production of heat slow down also. Since we need heat in order to 'generate' the body systems, hypothermia deprives us of the capability to be mobile since energy is suppressed. A person affected by hypothermia loses consciousness and starts to shiver. If worse becomes worst, the victim will 'fall asleep' and dies. On the other hand, frostbite occurs when a certain part of the body is frozen. Most of the time, this affects the ears, fingers, or nose. What is frightening about frostbite is that it lasts forever. Once a bodily part if affected, the victim will have to choose between being amputated of that part or have it numb for the rest of his life.

The last time I watched a weekend night movie, I went for last installment to the mutant saga, X-Men 3; and like all those geeks who have been following the comics, I am one of those who wish that I have some kind of mutant power. I would have liked to be Storm, so I could have the amazing power to control the weather. It would really be ultimately cool to be able to conjure up strong winds and lightning, don't you think?

Anyway, storm is one of Mother Nature's destructive weather phenomena. The strongest storms can create huge property damage and kill both human and animal lives. Storms come in many different forms-- the wind storm, the ice storm, hailstorm, sandstorm, snowstorm, and thunder storm. Meanwhile, typhoon, hurricane and cyclones are just names for storm which has a speed of greater than 73 miles per hour occurring on different oceans.

Storms are formed when a low pressure develops over a high-pressure area. When these two pressures collide, storm clouds are formed. The Beaufort scale is used to measure these storms. The scale range from 0 to 12, 12 being the highest and most destructive. The tropical cyclone, one of the strongest, occur above the ocean close to the equator.

Just last May 7, a rare weather phenomenon happened in Penglai City in China. The high-clarity mirage in Penglai lasted for four hours and amazed the local residents as well as tourists who got to watch this uncommon display of Mother Nature. According to the news, it rained for two days in the city before the phenomenon occurred.

Weather experts explained that a mirage occurs when the moisture in the air is warmer than the sea. What happens is the rays of the sun bends on water surface and mirrors landscape in the sky. There is also what is called the 'superior mirage'. The 'superior' in the name does not denote the mirage's condition, but the strange phantasm than is formed over its actual position.

Sailors before who did not have scientific knowledge are afraid of this strange event. I would be too, if I see ships floating upside down in mid air. Mirage might be what then-sailors refer to as 'ghost ships' (i think there's a Hollywood horror movie of the same name). In Penglai though, experts said that mirage happen in the peninsula even before, which made it famous as the so-called dwelling place of deities.

Do you have a biometeorologist in your neighborhood? You probably have not heard of this before, but biometeorologists are scientists who study about the relative effects of weather to our bodies. This thing has never occurred to me, not until an actual study was published by BBC. Based on the article, weather has a very distinctive effect in our anatomy. Although we do not seem to care, and we are not highly affected, still if we look deeper, we will come to realize how weather has changed our bodies.

Apparently, illnesses are the manifestations of extreme weather. At times, we find ourselves suffering from fits of cough or colds during or before winter comes. There are also cases when we suffer from heatstroke in summer. True, our bodies adapt to the prevailing weather, but the adjustment period should be longer than the usual. Weather may change in twenty four hours, and our bodies cannot tolerate that. In effect, as bodily reaction, we become ill. Also, weather contributes to the spread of certain diseases. Remember the bird flu virus that attacked during cold weather? Whenever a sudden change occurs, we become susceptible to certain illnesses and there is no way that we could escape them unless cases are already reported and vaccines are given immediately.

Also, depending upon the weather type, we experience spasms. Observe that both in winter and in summer we sometimes feel our muscles twitch. The cold weather freezes our body fluid, thus the circulation of the blood becomes irregular. This causes pain. On the other hand, heat speeds up the circulation of the blood. The rapidity of the flow sends splintering pains in our muscles because they cannot contain the high temperature and the blood flow. So, you see, we cannot just feel comfortable. But, there are ways to prevent these pains and weather illnesses. We just have to prepare ourselves and think of ways to alter the effects.

Which is worse - La Nina or El Nino? Well, both are equally drastic. Either of the two leave fatal marks in the environment. The aftermath of these twin climate disasters are stupendous that they even leave casualties. These two names often attack every after seven years, and every time they come, we are left with no other choice than to let them pass.

Unfortunately, meteorologists have but only means to predict the two phenomena. We might as well look at them as rapid climate shifting, but their attacks are no match with rainstorms and dry seasons. Usually, El Nino comes first. It is described as long period of drought. But this not your ordinary drought. The high temperature brings about hot wind that literally dries up everything under the sun. This causes massive water loss in the natural resources, death to aquatic animals, death to plants, and cracks to soil. Then, after a long while, its twin sister arrives. La Nina comes with cool breeze and strong wind that pulls the ocean waters from the Pacific. This phenomenon, contrary to what most of us think, in utterly intolerable. Just imagine that a storm is coming, but no fierce rainfall comes. Just imagine the gust that blows away the dried remnants of El Nino. Now, imagine the sky fall down the earth and wash away everything that stands in its way. That is the amazing prowess of El Nino and La Nina. All we can do is to endure them.

Are you crazy enough to chase a tornado? If your answer is yes, then I might just help you prepare for your adventures. I have here some hints as to how one can become a good tornado chaser. Hey, do not get me wrong, chasing a twister is a real hard stuff. I hope you would take this seriously. Unless you are bold enough to take the challenge, do not attempt running after a tornado.

It is undoubtedly an obvious reality that US is prone to tornado attacks. I had the fascination about tornadoes after it almost uprooted our new tree house several years ago. Since then, I have been doing studies on tornadoes. No, I am not serious about it. But, the fact that a twister can occur anytime, I just felt like gearing myself with knowledge about tornadoes.

Firstly, chaser should have keen observation. Since tornadoes require time to accumulate enough force before it violently attacks, chasers must be steady observing its development. Also there are equipments necessary to monitor tornadoes. You may use radars, any communication devise to connect you to your partners, a video camera to record the tornado, plus the alertness and proper timing as to when to run from or go near the tornado. Chasers are actually performing the tasks of a hero. They serve as warning devise. Unless they read the tornado accurately, many people will suffer. So, now you see why chasing tornadoes is a serious matter?

Whoever thought that sand can devour a whole city? I used to think that sand storms could only be seen in movies or cartoons. It never occurred to me that this drastic phenomenon happens in the deserts all the time. Just imagine the hundreds of hamlets being swallowed by sand. True, the sight is magnificent, but the mere fact that it penetrates the eyes sand storm is a disaster.

Sand storm develops whenever a very strong wind passes over the desert. The great force is able to whirl sands. Whichever is the origin of the wind, still sands will not escape from being brought up and accumulated. This is such a very astounding event, since people living in the desert have no choice but to let the storm pass. Just imagine the sand entering from every openings of the house. Add to that the hazard posed to the people of catching eye irritation.

I feel very fortunate that I live in a neighborhood with beautiful landscape sans the sands. I cannot help but wonder how our brothers in Iran or the great Indian continent was able to survive whenever sand storms attack their countries. Adapting to the natural phenomenon required them to build sturdy houses. Based on the footages I've seen taken from the recent sand storm in Iran, it was definitely clear that they suffer just like that of tropical storm victims. Only, their houses do not get washed away.

It is getting hot in here! Every day, when I go to work, I always experience this unbearable heat that causes me to perspire even before I get to my business meetings. What is more unbelievable is that it happens in the morning. I almost thanked God that I stay in the office for the rest of the day, and go home at night when it is already cool. But, I cannot help but wonder just why the environment has already become hot.

Yeah, the issue is on global warming. It saddens me to think that I am part of the evil deed, of contributing harmful elements to the atmosphere. I am well aware of that. I hope you are, too. I am talking of the various toxic gases emitted by our cars, our factories, our generators, and all other machineries that make us a very industrialized country. True, in return of the affluent society we are gradually poisoning nature and destroys its defenses against the sun. This is the reason we experience unpredictable weather conditions. Besides, if you would notice, we experience major climate shifting. Sometimes, summer lasts longer than it should. Or, while we are expecting rain, it will not come until a month. Those are just simple manifestations. But, I am afraid that if worse becomes worst, we might end up having three weathers in one day. But, for now, the atmosphere is getting hotter, and if we do not act on it, we might get scorched.

I just admire seasoned fishermen, especially those who dwell in areas where high technology gadgets could not be found. Their extensive experience in dealing with the ocean has made them master the movement of the sky, thus they could predict weather disturbances. I have an uncle who is a fisherman since his early years, and he was the one who taught me the signs that sky show when a heavy storm or a fair weather is coming. At least, I learned to read the clouds.

After all, the ocean water, and not the sky, is the key element that predicts the weather. Although, in the process, the manifestation is seen in the atmosphere. That is why weather forecasts capture images of clouds surfacing the ocean waters. I mean, just try to observe. You do not have to go to the ocean. Maybe you can try it in the Fisherman's Wharf park. Whenever a storm comes, the massive formation of clouds could be seen hovering above the waters of the earth, and not over the land. Only, when the storm reaches the land do we experience its fierce.

No fancy, weather forecasts are useless unless the radar reads the ocean. Unless the ocean is stable, the weather is unstable. I could still remember the El Nino phenomenon some ten years ago. It became a disaster, since the seas are drying up. While, when the waters went down, La Nina took place. These phenomena were predicted all because of the movement of ocean water. The waves play major part. That is why, my uncle takes note of the tide. This same technique works for major fishing companies. Only, my uncle uses his innate ability.

I have always been fascinated with how meteorologists measure rain, temperature, earthquake, and all other weather conditions. As time went by, they have already invented countless weather instruments. I am familiar with the commonly used devices such as thermometers, wind vane, rain gauge, and others, but I became curious with psychrometer.

At first glance, I thought I read it as psychometer. Back then, I thought it is an instrument for the psyche. But, I was wrong because in actuality it is an instrument that measures relative humidity. I was not sure how this thing works so I searched for it over the internet.

I came to an article that simply tells that the psychrometer works just like a thermometer. It is composed of two identical thermometers, a wet bulb, and a dry bulb. While the thermometers are placed side by side, the bulbs are given extra care. The wet one is covered with a cloth which is absorbent enough. The cloth is submerged in water and acts as a wick. On the other hand, the dry one is left exposed to open air. Once the bulb is put out of the water, the natural process of evaporation occurs. The humidity is measured depending upon the amount of evaporation and the time consumed by the cooling process. If the evaporation is slow, the atmosphere is wet. If it occurs fast, then we have a dry atmosphere. The point of dew is calculated and the measurement is based on the humidity chart.

A weather disaster is something that is inevitable. Even the use of weather instruments and modern gadgets do not guarantee exact prediction. However, if we are well knowledgeable of the possibilities of extreme weather conditions, we can always prepare. A survival kit is necessary especially to those people living in places that are seldom visited by thunder storms or experience extreme draught.

On the other hand, a survival kit does not only have to be for people. We might be forgetting about our pets. Though they have the instinct to save themselves during disasters, it is very important that we provide them enough protection. Veterinarians have already promoted such survival kit for pets.

Pets cling to their owner for comfort so owners must be ready for the needs of their pets. These include vaccinations, an identification which practically can be placed in their collars, and pet bags or carriers that allows pets to stand and sit or move around inside. Once evacuated, pets must be oriented to their new dwelling place or temporary abode. Alongside with people, animals also experience trauma and can develop phobia to such catastrophes.

Ever since I was a small child living at our family house, I kept on wondering why the people at Sequim call their place as a banana belt? I just found out the answer a couple of years ago. The main reason for this term is their Olympic shadow, which surrounds the San Juan Islands and even the Olympic Peninsula in the northeast.

For those of you who are still now familiar with the Olympic Rain Shadow, it is the series of mountains that surround the Sequim residents. Due to the fact that this place is protected by these humongous mountains, the people are protected from the harsh rains that may destroy the place they call home. These rains come from the Pacific Northwest.

The mountains are also responsible for protecting the residents from the harsh winds. These may come from the direction of southwest and cause great danger to the people's homes. Even though they live by the sea, they have one of the safest locations in the world. I consider them very lucky that I sometimes want to migrate to their place. I am pretty sure I will have a lot of fun swimming in seas and oceans.