What's with the colour-coded weather alerts? Here's what you need to know - OrilliaMatters.com

For months tree leaves are green, and then September arrives and they suddenly burst into yellows, oranges, and reds. So, why does this happen, and where did the leaves get those colours? Here's the science behind this seasonal colour-change. Plants, including trees, get the food they need by combining three things — water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight. They do this through a chemical process known as photosynthesis, using a group of chemicals called chlorophylls. DON'T MISS: The planets visit with the Moon throughout the month of SeptemberChlorophylls are complex organic molecules whose primary function is to absorb light, and then convert that light energy into chemical energy. The chemical energy derived from this process then goes towards combining water and carbon dioxide into sugars that the plant uses for food. In the process of photosynthesis, chlorophyll breaks down, but the plant makes more using some of the sugars it produced, along with energy from sunlight and nutrients absorbed from the soil. Thus, during the warmer months of the year, when there is an abundance of intense sunlight, chlorophyll is constantly broken down and remade inside a tree's leaves.

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A meteor streaks across the sky over a desert in China during the Orionid meteor shower on Oct. 22, 2023.(VCG/VCG via Getty Images)The Orionid meteor shower is peaking this week, and it promises to be one of the most dazzling displays of the year. And while some of you will have clear skies, rain and clouds could impact the view for others. Here's what you need to know about the Orionids and your forecast:Fast factsPeak day: The meteor shower peaks Wednesday night, Oct. 21, into the early hours of Thursday morning, Oct. 22. Peak time: From midnight to dawn are the best hours to catch the meteors streaking through the sky, so plan on a late night or really early morning. What the Orionids are known for: The Orionid meteors are known for their brightness and their speed. As they streak across the sky at around 41 miles per second, the meteors leave behind a glowing "train" that can last several seconds to minutes. While you can make the perfect plan to catch the Orionids, the key to stellar viewing is still in Mother Nature's hands. The good news is that many of you should have good meteor shower-watching conditions. Much of the central and eastern U. S.

(urbanbuzz/shutterstock)Could a cheap roll of duct tape help protect your home from flooding? New research suggests it could make a surprisingly big difference. In controlled tests, correctly applied duct tape on the outside of a household door reduced water leakage by 97-98%. The findings suggest that a simple low-cost measure could substantially reduce the amount of water entering a home during a flood. This is important as one of the key lessons from flood resilience research is that the best time to protect a property is before floodwater arrives. The UK government’s 2025 FloodReady Review called for practical, affordable measures that help households understand their risks and to prepare for flooding. And one potential contribution to this agenda might sound unlikely, at first glance. Duct tape is more commonly associated with household repairs than flood protection. However, tests colleagues and I conducted at the University of Hull demonstrated how much water can enter a property through an unprotected doorway during a flood. Three doors, ready for flood-testing.