Flash flood is a major factor of weather-related deaths in America, taking around 127 people each year. But because flash floods rarely occur, most people live to experience the nicest weathers, such as the sun, rain, and wind. Even so, many people tend to overlook the impacts these nice weathers have. Although some people may merely see weather as an obstacle that gets in the way of their outdoor activity, the weather is a complex phenomenon that affects our health in ways we may not notice. The wind and rain, two important factors of weather, have a particular effect on our health.
The wind affects the air quality in two ways. Wind can disperse harmful pollutants floating in the air, improving air quality. On the other hand, the pollutants dispersed by the wind travel to other regions, transmitting air pollutants from one area to another. An example of this can be seen in California wildfires. When a wildfire breaks out in California, the smog that rises from the fire worsens the air quality in California. However, the smog eventually travels to Nevada by wind, darkening the skies and negatively affecting the air quality in Nevada.
The rain improves air quality. Raindrops act as a natural purifier, capturing pollutants in the air as it falls to the ground. This improves air quality as there are fewer harmful pollutants in the air that could possibly go into our system. However, after the rain stops, air quality worsens again due to the pollutants captured in the raindrops being released after the rain evaporates.
Home, uHoo. “How Seasonal Changes Affect Air Quality Index (AQI).” uHoo, 2 Aug. 2024, getuhoo.com/blog/home/how-seasonal-changes-affect-air-quality-index-aqi/#:~:text=Seasonal%20changes%20significantly%20impact%20air,and%20address%20air%20quality%20issues. Accessed 25 Jan. 2025.
Education, UCAR Center for Science. “Center for Science Education.” How Weather Affects Air Quality | Center for Science Education, scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/air-quality/how-weather-affects-air-quality. Accessed 25 Jan. 2025.
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