It’s Friday the 13th! Exploring Weather Phobias Across Canada
On this spooky day, we dive into some common weather-related fears that many Canadians experience
Prince Rupert, Calgary, Lytton, Eureka, Canada, Weather Phobias
Prince Rupert: Canada has some wild weather, and for some folks, it can be downright scary. Since it’s Friday the 13th, let’s chat about a few weather phobias that people have.
First up, nephophobia, which is the fear of clouds. Imagine living in Prince Rupert, one of the cloudiest spots in Canada, with only about 250 hours of sunshine a year. That’s a lot of clouds!
Then there’s iridophobia, the fear of rainbows. If you’re in Prince Rupert, you might want to steer clear, especially since the northern lights are visible a lot in the Northwest Territories.
Ombrophobia is next, and it’s all about the fear of rain. Prince Rupert is also one of the wettest cities, with around 166 rainy days each year. Not ideal for those who dread getting wet!
If snow gives you the heebie-jeebies, you might want to avoid northern Canada, where snowfall can be pretty intense. Atlantic Canada also gets hit hard with nasty winter storms.
Now, if the wind rattles your nerves, you’re not alone. That’s called ancraophobia. Calgary is known as the windiest large city in Canada, so it might not be the best place for those who fear the breeze.
Fog can be spooky too, especially at night. If you suffer from homichlophobia, you’d want to stay away from the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, the foggiest place on Earth!
Then there’s heliophobia, the fear of the sun. Calgary is one of the sunniest spots in Canada, which is great for farmers but not so much for those who can’t handle the rays.
Thermophobia, or the fear of heat, is another one. Canada had some crazy heat records in 2021, with Lytton hitting a scorching 49.6 degrees Celsius. That’s hot!
If you’re afraid of the cold, you might want to skip Eureka, Nunavut. It’s one of the coldest places in Canada, with an average temperature of -18.8 °C.
Astraphobia, the fear of thunder and lightning, is common, especially in kids. But it’s not just humans; some pets get scared too!
Lastly, lilapsophobia is the fear of tornadoes and hurricanes. If someone has been through a traumatic weather event, it’s a good idea for them to talk to someone about it.
So, whether you’re afraid of clouds, rain, or even the sun, Canada has a little bit of everything for everyone!