Weather has a powerful effect on the physical world. It also affects people's personalities. How do we know about the effects of weather on people? We know from biometeorologists. These scientists are weather researchers. They study human health and emotions in response to atmospheric conditions. The word atmosphere means "the air around the earth." "Atmospheric conditions at a time or place" is a definition of the word weather. Some examples of these conditions are sun, wind, rain, snow, humidity (the amount of moisture in the air), and air pressure (the force of air). The weather conditions of the atmosphere greatly influence people's health, thinking, and feelings.
All over the world winds come down from high mountain areas. The winds fall faster and faster, and the air becomes warmer and drier. What do scientists say about the health effects of this kind of weather? According to biometeorologists in Russia, powerful winds from the mountains increase the number of strokes (blood vessel attacks in the brain). Also, sometimes strong southern winds blow north over Italy. During these times, researchers say, Italians have more heart attacks (sudden stopping of the heart). People everywhere have bad headaches during times of forceful winds. And Japanese weather scientists say there is an increase in the number of asthma attacks. (Asthma is a lung disorder. It causes breathing problems.)
Do other kinds of weather influence physical health? Sudden temperature changes in winter are often associated with colds or flu. (Influenza is a viral disease.) However, colds and flu probably increase because people are in close contact indoors in cold weather. Colds and flu may even lead to pneumonia (another lung disease). Other illnesses also increase during long periods (times) of cold weather. In most places, diseases of the blood and heart attacks are more common in winter. But in some very hot and humid (wet) regions, there are more heart attacks in summer. Many people have high blood pressure (a health condition). In three out of four people, blood pressure falls (goes down) in warm weather. But some people have lower blood pressure in the cool or cold times of the year.
These forces of nature greatly affect people's moods (emotional conditions and feelings) too. For many people, winter in the northern regions is very depressing. They eat and sleep a lot, but they usually feel tired. They are nervous and can't work well. They are irritable (not very nice to other people). Biometeorologists even have a name for this condition. The name is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Scientists think the cause of this mood disorder is the long periods of darkness. Even during the day, it is often cloudy or gray. What can people with SAD do about their moods? Naturally, they need more light! On bright days they feel better. But people don't work very well on sunny, hot, and humid days. The best weather for good work and thinking is cool and clear.
Are the people around you becoming sick more often? Are they getting more colds or the flu or even pneumonia? Are they having more health problems like headaches or asthma attacks or heart disease? Or are you becoming moody? Are you getting more tired or depressed (low in mood) or sad? Remember--according to biometeorologists and other weather scientists--the cause may be the atmosphere!
