Recent field work from my blasting study suggests that everyday weather and local terrain can play a big role. These simple factors are present at every quarry, but they are often ignored when people judge whether a blast was “too strong”. The study found that changes in weather and terrain can either increase or reduce the air pressure from blasts by the time it reaches homes and other structures. For Ghana, where many communities live close to quarry and mining operations, this has practical implications. Taking basic weather and terrain information into account when planning blasts and placing seismographs or other sensors could help operators choose better blasting times and reduce complaints.