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Who doesn’t love a good random fact? Here’s one for you that I’ve learnt recently: A fluffy, weightless-looking cloud actually weighs around a million pounds. Since it's made out of water and air, it can accumulate quite a lot of mass—about the weight of 100 elephants. You wouldn’t think a cloud was this heavy when you’re soaring through it on a plane, would you?

More exciting facts about our world await you in the list below, courtesy of the “Factz.unheard” Instagram account. Scroll down to learn about the things you probably haven’t heard about before and make sure to upvote the ones that surprised you the most.

Sticking to the topic of clouds, we reached out to broadcast meteorologist Janice Davila, and meteorologist, atmospheric scientist, and owner of Makens Weather, Matt Makens, who kindly agreed to tell us more interesting facts about the atmosphere and weather!

BSc meteorologist Janice Davila tells Bored Panda that one of the most unknown facts from her field of expertise is that weather radars are slightly tilted upward in a half-degree (1/2°) angle. 

“This means that when you or someone else opens a weather app only to see that it says it's raining, it actually means the radar is detecting the rain at 1/2 degree up rather than looking at the surface. If you're not seeing any rain, it's because it's evaporated by the time it passed the radar, reaching the surface,” she explains. 

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Nea
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This could only be Japanese! Please dont kill me, they are so cute and as an Indian do look like cotton fresh to me :)

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Meteorologist, atmospheric scientist and owner of Makens Weather, Matt Makens, believes that most people might not be aware of just how much moisture there is in the air. “Especially within thunderstorms that are miles high and carry large hail...the tremendous amount of upward wind to enable all of that water and ice to stay in the air is mind-blowing to us as observers when we watch those thunderstorms pass through.”

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Another phenomenon he finds interesting in the field of meteorology is banded snowfall. “Whether it be lake effect snow or upslope against mountains, the total amount of snow that can fall within just hours can be staggering,” Makens says.

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Ron Man
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course they did. Willingly engaging in corporate espionage is a huge crime. Also, what would Pepsi care about Coke's recipe? Not like they're going to change their own due to that. Chances are, they already had it to begin with. The Coke secret recipe is more of a myth than anything else. They've changed their recipe a few times over the years and current Coke bears absolutely no resemblance to the original Coke.

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Both meteorologists believe that the average person should have more knowledge about the atmosphere and weather, mostly for their safety. “I highly recommend people knowing the basics about the weather, especially hazard safety when it comes to storms,” says Davila. “Due to climate change, storms are getting more aggressive, therefore people should be more aware of how to react during nocturnal tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and anything else that may not be typical for their region.”

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Jessica Shookhoff
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww, so cute! We have hummingbird moths in the Rockies. They're exactly like mini hummingbirds but with fuzzy antennae!!!

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“The lower atmosphere in particular has so many different conditions based on altitude yet the general public assumes its all relatively the same behavior no matter how high into the sky,” says Makens.

“Much like a river flowing through the mountains, there's extreme turbulence, calmness, variable speeds and variable temperatures throughout that river and the atmosphere is the same way. This knowledge can better help people understand why they see certain clouds at certain levels, or how wildfire smoke is transported to their areas, or even give them some forecast sense of what weather is headed their way by what they are observing in the sky around them,” he stresses.

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However, it’s not just the average person who might find some weather phenomena puzzling or surprising. These experts also admit being bewildered by some things that their scientific community hasn’t figured out yet.

Davila for example, is trying to find out how migraines could be connected with the rise and fall in barometric pressure. While Makens is fascinated by El Niño and La Niña, whose driving forces can’t be exactly pinpointed thus far.

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Karl der Große
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's really afraid of bats, which I find surprising. They're like flying kittens.

Skogsrået
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am also afraid of bats like lots of other people cause rabies you know.

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SalamanderPanda
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2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ironic that Stephen king is the reason that I sleep with the lights on ah ha ha 😩

SkippityBoppityBoo
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2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hardcore relate! I love his books, he's a great story teller... His imagination doesn't make him "weird" or "psychotic"!!! Neither does it mean that people who like his books are "weird" etc. It's his style of writing, the way he can narrate and describe so you feel you're there... Anyway, the sleeping with the lights on? I do. Small lamps with the options of high, medium, low level. After the past few years with various things that have happened to me? You probably would too!!!.... P.S? He's actually a really nice person! People who have been lucky enough to have met him? They've nothing but nice things to say about him 🙂

whineygingercat
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2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was danced around in Monkeybone. When Stu is in jail for stealing the exit pass, he's in a cell with other notable writers. Edgar Allen Poe and 'Steve' King exchange insults when 'Steve' asks about a nightlight. Stephen King (to the guard rat): How about that nightlight I asked you for? Edgar Allen Poe (to King): King You Pussy! Stephen King: Bite me Poe!

Upstaged75
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd be afraid too if I had those kinds of stories swimming around in my head.

Amelia Jade
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me feel better. I just turned 50 and I have night lights all over my house. If I need to get up for any reason, I need dark corners illuminated to make sure no one is there. Otherwise, I can't get out of bed at all. The fear overrides everything else--even the need to pee.

Riley Quinn
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are several reasons why this is not good for health. Light disrupts sleep because it resets your internal clock. It can also increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and obesity. It can increase the risk of depression and the flight-fight response. King is not a stupid man, so he probably realizes the risks.

Marie BellaDonna
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1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like the others said, you'd sleep with the lights on too, if you had the things floating around in your head that he does lol!!

David Stutzmann
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And he once admited he has to brush his teeth six time in a raw before going to bed.

Stinky
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am not at all surprised - imagine living in that mind........

verna sack
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stephen King LOVE HIS BOOKS <3 why you all into his sex life n his sleeping habits?

Jelena Putinja
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

considering what he writes one can only imagine what his dreams must be

martymcmatrix
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because otherwise his family members would be afraid in the dark if they were sleeping in the same room...🤭 🎈 🤡

2bwhctmvgn
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2 weeks ago

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Commas around the relative clause, please. Also, "novelists": you can't be "one of" a singular thing.

Bartlet would like you to vote
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2 weeks ago

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They had an excellent chance to use colors instead of commas and they fuсked it up.

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Chonky Panda
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2 weeks ago

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This comment has been deleted.

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According to Climate.gov, the two terms refer to warm and cool phases of a natural climate pattern across the tropical Pacific. “The pattern shifts back and forth irregularly every two to seven years, bringing predictable changes in ocean temperature and disrupting the normal wind and rainfall patterns across the tropics.," it writes. Since El Niño and La Niña don’t appear on a regular schedule, it challenges the meteorologists.

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Ron Man
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Loved this as Most Xtreme Elimination Challenge with Kenny Blankenship and Vic Romano

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“Today, we can accurately—more or less—predict these features out to a year or maybe two. To be able to forecast these patterns several years in advance would be of tremendous economic gain for the hundreds of industries that rely upon risk management practices protecting from changes those ocean-atmosphere patterns create,” explains Makens.

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Just a boring person
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And also one of the most dangerous considering they feast on the blue solider jellyfish.

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Karl der Große
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a recent article from a guy named Saul Justin Newman that found that a lot of longevity claims in places like Okinawa are caused by fraud or sloppy record keeping, and that there may not be any place where there is a strikingly unusual number of supercentenarians.

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Richard Graham
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the 1946 Spacelander Classic bicycle (British), designed by Benjamin Bowden. It was manufactured into the 1960s.

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WubiDubi
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Albino are not endangered. It's a genetic trait you don't want, increased risk of skin cancer and eye issues.

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H R
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2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it just went "nah I'm going back " and became a whale

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MargyB
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine having to replace them all when they are on maternity leave, a logistical HR nightmare!

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whineygingercat
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm thinking that they believe anyone who fits in the 100% discount needs to eat more and so they'll feed them for free

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BrunoVI
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No religion? Uh... no. "[T]o live in Auroville, one must be the willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness." Oh, and there is no paper currency, but everyone is required to get a special debit card.

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The Phantom Stranger
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always thought pineapples few on palm trees similar to coconuts or bananas. Wasn't until I visited Hawaii that I learned they actually grow on bushes.

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G R
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He had an artificial heart installed after his own heart failed. Technically the artificial heart was two pumps, so no beat like a flesh heart has. Sadly, he died five weeks after having the artificial heart installed.

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Nimitz
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a regular Fuji apple that is left on the tree in rain and frost until the water permeates the cells. They are actually one step short of rotting and taste like candy. But thanks to capitalism, they call them artisanal and sell them for $20 each

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Skogsrået
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Female lions sleep less wich makes sence cause they are the hunters and do most of the work.

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The Phantom Stranger
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Crystalized honey had been found in Egyptian tombs. All you have to do is heat it up until it melts and it is perfectly safe to eat. (As long as you don't believe in Mummys' curses.)

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N G
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was supposed to be a yellow card, but the ref showed him a sim card by mistake

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David Houde
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure if it was the same thing, but one morning driving to work just before the sun came up I saw what I can only describe as a "gray scale rainbow". It was so odd. I was driving west with the sun below the horizon. I saw a rainbow in front of me, but there was no colors, just different shades of gray.

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Justin Tyme
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But a quantum computer is a supercomputer. supercomputer: “a powerful computer that can process large amounts of data very quickly” Collins Dictionary, 2024.

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Just a boring person
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2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Waiter: Sir, how old do you want your wine to be? Fancy Gentleman: "Roman era please kind sir."

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Elyse-the-Squid
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine getting hit on the head by a tennis ball that magically fell from the sky

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Nimitz
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2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be clear, she arrived at a match in Poland and was above the 48 kg qualifying weight. She skipped rope and exercised for two hours to sweat out the extra weight. She didn't cut weight with laxatives and diuretics

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Jacob B.
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh the inappropriate comments I could make....but I won't. Sometimes its best to keep quiet.

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MargyB
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait...is this like when you suggested that putting a rolled up ball of aluminium foil in the microwave would create a ball bearing? I still don't have a kitchen!

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