From the Storm Team 5 weather team, take our weather calendar quiz.
How well do you know the weather in Massachusetts? Some weather events are likelier in some months than others. Test your knowledge in our Weather Calendar Quiz.
What's the likeliest month for a tornado?
What's the cloudiest month of the year?
What's the most likely month to have temperatures above 100 degrees?
What's the most likely month for an ice storm?
What month is most likely to have heavy rain? That would be more than 2 inches in a single day.
What's the likeliest month for the Northeast to have a hurricane?
Which month is likeliest to have brushfires?
What month is most likely to experience flash flooding?
June, in the late afternoon
In which month are we most likely to see temperatures below zero in Worcester?
What's the likeliest month to have a drought?
Some untrue weather facts seem to be accepted at face value. Find out which potentially life-saving info you’ve got wrong, from Reader's Digest.
According to Chris Maier, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, development of weather technology has helped us better understand how weather affects us, including disproving some myths about weather.
Myth: Big storms including tornadoes and hurricanes are the most destructive type of weather.
Though they often get the most media attention, these storms are actually far less likely to cause you harm than extreme fluctuations in temperature.
Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Lightning can strike the same spot more than once, especially if the object struck is tall and isolated. The Empire State Building is struck by lightning more than 100 times per year.
Myth: Doorways are the safest part of a house during an earthquake.
Door frames of modern homes are no stronger than any other part of the house, and the door could hit and injure you during the rumbling of an earthquake. Instead, duck under a sturdy table or desk until the shaking stops.
Myth: Alcohol will warm you up in cold weather
Studies have found that drinking alcohol on a cold winter’s night causes heat to escape your body faster and puts you at an increased risk for hypothermia.
Myth: Taping your windows shut during a hurricane protects your home
Taping your windows during a hurricane can create larger, more dangerous shards instead of smaller, less harmful pieces. Instead, try proven safeguards like installing hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows.
Myth: Cold air makes you sick
This myth does have a grain of truth to it. Viruses, not weather, cause colds. However, chilly days might make us more susceptible to nasty winter bugs if we’re exposed to them.
Myth: Lakes, rivers and mountains can protect an area from a tornado
Just because a tornado hasn't touched down in your town or city does not mean one can't. Tornadoes touched down in Boston in 2014, Minneapolis in 2012, New York City in 2010, and Atlanta in 2008.
Myth: Flash flooding can only happen near rivers and streams.
Water can rush in anywhere, even in urban areas. There are several overlooked causes of urban flooding including rainfall and hurricane conditions.
Myth: You can't get sunburned if it's not summer
The earth is closest to the sun during winter months, and snow and ice can reflect damaging UV rays, giving your skin a double dose of sun.
Myth: You’ll get electrocuted if you touch someone who was struck by lightning
Your body cannot conduct electricity, so touching someone who’s been struck won’t hurt you.
Myth: You can safely drive through floodwaters
Even drivers of large trucks or SUVs can't always make it through flood waters safely. It doesn't take much rushing water to sweep even an oversize vehicle away.