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Black Hole

Wet and Windy Questions for Winter

Here's some things to think about when you're stuck inside looking out at the rain:

(a) Why does the wind in winter exert 25% more force than it does in summer?

(b) Why was Queen Elizabeth's coronation date set for June 2nd, 1953?

(c) What's the lowest temperature recorded in New Zealand?

Match up the words with their meanings:

ondingvirga
rimerorulent
  • dew-covered
  • pelting rain (Scottish)
  • rain that evaporates before it hits the ground
  • a light covering of ice formed from frozen fog

And one to argue over:

Assuming the rain is falling vertically, do you get wetter running home through it or walking through it?

Answers

(a) The air is denser in winter.

(b) According to the meteorologists, June 2nd is the most consistently sunny day in the UK calendar. However, it rained that day.

(c) A chilly -20oC was recorded in Ophir, in Central Otago, on July 2nd, 1943.

If it's onding outside, then the rain is pelting down and you're in Edinburgh.

Virga is rain you have when you're not having rain -- it's evaporated before it reaches you.

Rime is that delicate layer of ice you get after the fog has frozen.

A rorulent morning is one covered in dew.

Good luck with deciding whether to run or walk through the rain.