Feedback is New Scientist’s popular sideways look at the latest science and technology news. You can submit items you believe may amuse readers to Feedback by emailing feedback@newscientist.com Raining cats and dogs A new unit of measurement has dropped – and in this case the slang verb is doubly appropriate. Reader Alan Baker came across a weather report for CBS News in Austin, Texas, warning of freezing rain. Meteorologist Avery Tomasco noted that central Texas could receive up to half an inch of freezing rain, which would of course turn to ice on landing. To convey how serious that was, Tomasco explained that “ice is HEAVY” and can easily cause tree branches to fall into power lines (for instance). Even just a half inch of ice, he explained, was a big deal. “On a 30ft wide tree, that adds up to more than 7,000 pounds of ice, or roughly 109.5 fully-grown golden retrievers,” he wrote. That is, indeed, a large quantity of affectionate, fluffy dogs. Feedback isn’t sure whether this image of more than 100 …