Have you noticed the weather acting a bit strange lately? Whether you think the weather is getting weirder might depend on what you’ve experienced. For instance, after the U.K. had one of its rainiest weeks ever, people who dealt with flooding were more likely to say that the weather has been getting wetter over the years. Similarly, before a big drought hit the American Midwest in 2012, only 41% of people there thought dry spells were becoming more common and intense. But after that super dry summer, 66% believed that droughts had been getting worse for a long time.
Our thoughts about the weather are often shaped by what we’ve recently gone through. Even if we experience the same weather as others, we might not agree on how unusual it was. For example, data from over 4,000 weather stations showed that the winter of 2012 was the third warmest on record in the U.S. However, people who were concerned about climate change were more likely to say their local winter was warmer than usual. Even when considering beliefs about climate change, there was a political divide: Democrats were more likely than Republicans to describe the winter as unusually warm.
Nowadays, we get a lot of our weather information from the media instead of experiencing it firsthand. Different media channels compete for our attention by often talking about “extreme weather” and using dramatic words for less severe events. The Weather Channel even started naming big snowstorms, just like how tropical storms are named.
With so many sources of information, it’s easy to pick the ones that match what we already believe, even if they’re not entirely accurate. As a result, much of what we hear about extreme weather can just confirm what we already think, rather than giving us new insights into what’s really happening.
So, did this article help you understand how our brains perceive extreme weather? Remember, it’s important to look at the facts and consider different viewpoints to get a clearer picture of what’s going on with our weather.
Keep a weather diary for two weeks. Each day, note down the weather conditions and any unusual patterns you observe. At the end of the period, compare your notes with weather reports from the media. Discuss with your classmates how your personal observations align or differ from the media portrayal of the weather.
Participate in a class debate on whether the weather is getting weirder. Use evidence from recent weather events and scientific data to support your arguments. This will help you understand different perspectives and the role of personal experience in shaping opinions about weather changes.
Choose a recent weather event and analyze how different media outlets reported it. Identify any dramatic language or sensationalism used. Discuss how media portrayal might influence public perception of weather events and climate change.
Research how political beliefs can influence perceptions of weather and climate change. Create a presentation that explains the findings and discusses why understanding this relationship is important for interpreting weather information critically.
Play a weather simulation game that allows you to experience different weather scenarios and their impacts. Reflect on how these simulations compare to real-life weather events and discuss how they can help in understanding the complexities of weather patterns and climate change.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Is the weather getting weirder? Your answer probably depends on the unusual weather you’ve been experiencing lately. For example, after the U.K. experienced one of its rainiest weeks on record, those who reported flooding were much more likely than their drier counterparts to say they noticed wetter weather over the course of their lives. Before a significant drought struck the American Midwest in 2012, only 41% of residents thought they detected a long-term increase in the frequency and intensity of dry spells. However, after that particularly dry summer, 66% reported seeing worsening droughts for decades.
Our perceptions of weather tend to be influenced by our most recent experiences. Even when we experience similar weather events as others, we don’t always agree on how unusual they were. Data from over 4,000 meteorological stations indicate that the winter of 2012 was the third warmest on record in the U.S. However, Americans who viewed climate change as a serious concern were significantly more likely to report that their local winter weather had been warmer than usual. Even after accounting for beliefs about climate change, there was a political divide, with Democrats more likely than Republicans to describe the winter as unusually warm.
Additionally, we now receive less of our weather information firsthand and more from the media, where different channels compete for attention by frequently mentioning “extreme weather” and using dramatic terms for less severe events. The Weather Channel has even adopted the practice of naming significant snowstorms, similar to how tropical storms are named.
With so many sources of information, it’s easy to select those that align with our existing beliefs, regardless of their accuracy. Consequently, much of what we hear about the frequency of extreme weather can reinforce our pre-existing views rather than provide new insights into what is actually happening. So, did this video provide the information you were looking for?
Weather – The condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, including factors like temperature, humidity, and precipitation. – The weather today is sunny and warm, perfect for our outdoor science class.
Climate – The average weather conditions in a region over a long period of time. – The climate in the desert is very dry, with little rainfall throughout the year.
Perception – The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted. – Our perception of the environment can influence how we choose to protect it.
Experience – The knowledge or skill acquired by observing or participating in events. – Her experience in planting trees helped the community start a successful reforestation project.
Drought – A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water. – The drought has caused many farmers to lose their crops this year.
Flooding – An overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. – The heavy rains resulted in flooding, which damaged homes and roads in the area.
Media – The various means of communication, such as television, radio, and newspapers, that reach or influence people widely. – The media plays a crucial role in raising awareness about environmental issues like pollution and climate change.
Beliefs – Convictions or acceptances that certain things are true or real. – People’s beliefs about climate change can affect how they choose to conserve energy and resources.
Extreme – Reaching a high or the highest degree; very great. – Extreme weather events, like hurricanes and heatwaves, are becoming more common due to climate change.
Insights – The capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of a person or thing. – The scientist’s insights into animal behavior helped improve conservation efforts.
