HowStuffWorks "Climate & Weather"

WHAT'S INSIDE: CLIMATE & WEATHER

Atmospheric sciences help us understand and predict the weather. Learn about topics such as the seasons, why it snows, and how rainbows are formed.

Atmospheric Science
Meteorological Instruments
Meteorologists
Storms

Atmospheric Science
The atmosphere is the key to life on Earth. This thin layer is what protects us from the hostile environment of space. Here you can learn all about the atmospheric sciences.
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Meteorological Instruments
Meteorology is a complicated science that requires sophisticated tools to study the atmosphere. These tools help scientists understand the unpredictable nature of the weather.
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Meteorologists
Meteorologists do much more than predict the weather on the evening news - they're crucial to our understanding of how the atmosphere interacts with our climate and weather. Here you can learn about meteorologists and their work.
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- Zhu Kezhen
- Can China control the weather?
Storms
Storms are a meteorological event that can be studied to advance the science of meteorology. The study of storms can potentially save lives as scientists gain a better understanding of their nature. Learn more about storms here.
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FEATURED: CLIMATE & WEATHER

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Could the Northwest Passage open for business?

For 500 years, explorers searched for the fabled Northwest Passage, a route that connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Could global warming reduce the risk and open the passage for modern business?

videos: forces of nature

Natural Disasters

10 Ways the World Will End

Storm Chasers Videos

Global Warming Videos

What is the heat index that the weatherperson talks about during the summer?

What is the "heat index" that the weatherperson talks about during the summer? Also, why is the air comfortable at only 80 degrees F even though body temperature is 98 degrees F?

Was there really a great flood?

Many cultures have a flood myth -- an ancient story of a deluge that swallowed the Earth. So could a great flood really have happened, and how would we be able to tell?