When there’s nothing else to talk about, we can always rely on the weather! I mean, it’s literally always there. But have you ever stopped to wonder why that’s the go-to conversation topic? Well, according to Sentient Decision Science, one of the main reasons why is because the weather has such a strong impact on how we feel. 

We’re all familiar with the idea of seasonal depression, and it’s likely that you’ve found yourself exceptionally energized on a bright, sunny day. Discussing the topic of weather is an easy way to relate to others, as they probably feel the same way about what’s happening in the sky at the moment. And even if they don’t, you can still discuss what your ideal weather would be and why. This might tell you a lot about a person!  

If you live in a place that actually has four seasons and doesn’t have extremely predictable weather, you might need to carry a raincoat, an umbrella, sunglasses and a hat with you every day, just in case Mother Nature decides to be temperamental. But why does it seem like the weather forecast is rarely correct? I’ve been waiting around for a thunderstorm all day that doesn’t seem to be coming!

The National Weather Service explains on their site that the process of creating the forecast is pretty much the same regardless of the weather. Computer programs analyze the current conditions, and forecasters use their magic (okay, models and years of experience) to predict how those conditions will change in the future. But of course, there’s no way to be 100% sure about what the weather’s going to look like tomorrow. 

It can be frustrating to not know exactly what the skies will look like in the future, as our plans are often weather-dependent. But as we mentioned previously, the weather can also greatly impact our moods. I love a beautiful, sunny day, but once the weather is hot, I feel lethargic and lazy. I hate getting sweaty just by going outside, and I have much more energy when it’s a bit cooler. I can walk for miles without getting tired as long as it’s not hot! 

The weather can also impact your sleep cycle, as your circadian rhythm can be thrown off by a room that’s too hot or too cold. If your building's heating hasn’t come on yet for the winter, you might be shivering until the morning. And if it’s August and your home has no air conditioning, you might sweat through the whole night. To try to minimize the weather’s impact on your sleep schedule, it’s important to try to get as much sun as possible during the short winter days. And during the summer, make sure you have blackout curtains and a way to keep cool in the evenings.  

The weather can play a huge part in your mental health as well. If you’re prone to developing seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder, be sure to take vitamin D supplements and find ways to enjoy the winter. It might not be the most exciting time of the year, depending on where you live, but there’s no reason to suffer all season!

The winter months aren’t the only ones that can take a toll on our mental health, though. While many people love summer, warm weather can actually cause others to become more irritable and aggressive. (Guilty! Growing up in the blazing heat of South Texas made me despise hot weather.) In fact, shootings are more likely to occur on hot days. So make sure you find a way to keep cool during the summer, literally and figuratively!  

If you’re looking for a way to avoid extreme weather like we’ve seen on this list, it probably won’t be easy. According to How Stuff Works, there’s not actually any place on the planet that’s completely immune to natural disasters. So when choosing a place to live, there are plenty of factors to consider aside from whether or not they have severe storms. But if a city is known for being wiped out by a hurricane or tornado every few years, you might want to find somewhere a bit safer to settle down. 

When it comes to places that have the least natural disasters, WorldAtlas reports that the country of Andorra is number one. Apparently, this small nation between Spain and France is squeezed into an incredibly safe spot. Monaco is another country that very rarely gets hit with severe weather. Next on the list is San Marino, followed by Singapore, Luxembourg, Sao Tome and Principe, Liechtenstein, Belarus, Bahrain and Malta. See any countries that you’d be willing to relocate to, pandas?     

We hope you’re enjoying your scroll through these crazy weather pics, pandas. (Hopefully from the comfort of your safe, warm home!) Keep upvoting the photos you find most shocking, and feel free to share stories about the craziest weather you’ve encountered in the comments below. Then, if you’d like to check out even more examples of Mother Nature going wild, you can find a similar Bored Panda list right here!