Let’s Learn about Rain!    [02-08-2008] Summer is a wonderful season! It is a season full of fun. Playing under the bright sun is great. And of course we can’t forget about going to the beach! Well, I am sure all of you know that summer isn’t just about sunshine. Sometimes rain falls from the sky for many days straight. Yes, rain is a close friend of summer. But do you know how rain gets formed? Or do you know why rain comes down from the sky? It seems like the rainy season started in Korea. So, I guess there’s no better time than now to learn about rain! Let’s get started! Did you know that there are small water droplets in the air? They are so small that we can’t see them with our eyes. You see, summer is very hot. And the hot temperature warms up the air. The warm air moves up to the sky. And as the air goes higher and higher, clouds are formed. When large clouds are formed, the small water droplets bang into each other and big water droplets are formed. When these water droplets are too heavy, they fall to the ground as rain! So, it’s quite simple. When the humid and hot weather continues for days, great amounts of hot air float up to the sky. And large clouds are formed. Next comes days of rain. It’s very simple, right? Then, how big are raindrops? Raindrops are much smaller than we think. They are actually smaller than a centimeter. Raindrops range from 0.0254 to 0.635 centimeters in diameter. What is a flood? A flood results from days of heavy rain. Sometimes when intense rainfall comes from the sky, it can be very dangerous for people near narrow canyons or valleys. Flood waters flow faster here than on flatter ground and can be very destructive. Although forecasters are watching out for storms and typhoons, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. You and your family should have a disaster supplies kit at home. Disaster supplies include: a first-aid kit, canned food, can opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, and protective clothing. During a flood, electricity and gas must be turned off! You should always stay away from flooded areas. If a flowing stream of water is above your ankles, stop, turn around. and go the other way. Also, you should never play around high water or storm drains. Be extra cautious at night. This is because it’s harder to see the dangers. After the flood passes, be extra careful and clean. Many germs and viruses grow in great numbers after a flood. Therefore, always clean yourself well and boil drinking water!     출처: 어린이 영자신문 키즈타임즈 (www.kidstimes.net)