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.
What Is Humidity and How Does Humidity Affect Temperature?
The Hottest Place on Earth and 9 Scorching Contenders
The 10 Hottest States in the U.S., Based on 2023 Data
How Is Barometric Pressure Measured and Why?
How a Weather Balloon Works?
How the Tornado Intercept Vehicle Works
Can China control the weather?
Learn More
Hurricanes can range in strength from Category 1 all the way to Category 5. Learn more about hurricane categories in this HowStuffWorks Illustrated video.
There's a thunderstorm brewing with some serious lightning. Fortunately you're safe in your car because of its rubber wheels. Or are you? And let's not get started on your rubber-soled sneakers!
By Chris Opfer
Next time the cat starts sneezing, should you look for your umbrella or check her out for allergies? There are many superstitions out there about animals and weather prediction. Which ones hold water, and which ones are for the birds?
By Alia Hoyt
Advertisement
There are certain steps you should take to protect yourself, your family and your home during a disaster. These are not those steps.
The most damaging hurricanes usually have female names. Is this a case of gender bias, or is some other force at work?
A very strong storm doesn't automatically mean death or destruction. You can improve the odds of surviving intact with reinforcements to your home. Plus, scientists are improving their forecast methods. Let's look at high-tech and low-tech storm alerts.
What makes a nor'easter different from your run-of-the-mill winter storm? And which ones have done the most damage?
Advertisement
We all know it's a little cooler under a shady tree. But do trees have an effect on the five-day forecast, or even the global climate?
Thunderstorms are impressive and destructive elements of nature. This collection of images highlights some of the most spectacular features of storms.
By Rick Mayda
Can Fido predict an incoming tornado? If animals can predict the weather, do we stop trusting the weatherman and start visiting the zoo to get tomorrow's forecast?
You may have heard that you can figure out how far away lightning is by how long it takes for the thunder to arrive after you see the flash. Is this true? How do you calculate it?
Advertisement
Simon and Garfunkel. Peanut butter and jelly. Thunder and lightning. Some things are just better when they roll in pairs. But while we know that '60s folk singers and classic foodstuffs can also roll solo, what about these stormy BFFs?
In the days of Ancient Greece, it was easy enough to chalk up a bolt from the blue to Zeus, the great curmudgeon of Mt. Olympus. But while Ancient Greeks probably never felt safe from their grumpy god, today we know a bit more about lightning safety.
To paraphrase the band Queen, thunder and lightning are very, very frightening. Especially when you're stuck in a car in the middle of nowhere. But can your rubber tires protect you from a lightning strike?
If you hear thunder during the winter, should you get your snow shovel ready? Find out if thunder in winter means thunder snow is coming.
Advertisement
Can you shower during a thunderstorm? It's long been rumored that taking a nice, warm shower is a dangerous proposition when electricity is coursing through the sky.
If you're in a thunderstorm, then your top priority is safety. It might sound like a good idea to call your loved ones and let them know you're okay, but hold the phone a moment. See those lightning bolts outside? They've got other ideas.
It would be nice if our electronic devices doubled as handy, lightning-proof talismans to ward off danger during a thunderstorm. Sadly, that sounds more like sorcery than science. In the meantime, maybe you should just leave them off and unplugged.
When a hurricane or flash flood strikes a city, it can leave residents stranded in their cars, homes or other buildings waiting for rescue. How do rescue teams know where to go first?
Advertisement
Heavy snowfall is just one mark of a bad snowstorm. But the biggest snowstorms of all time also brought strong winds and in some cases, major power outages.
Is hurricane intensity increasing? It all depends on who you ask. How have scientists come to so many different conclusions about the ferocity of these seasonal storms?
Understanding a tornado watch vs. warning is the difference between preparing for a potential disaster or immediately seeking shelter.
By Yara Simón
Spaghetti models plot the potential tracks of tropical storms and hurricanes from different meteorological organizations onto one map. The resulting visual helps project how likely the forecast track will be.
Advertisement
If a tornado was heading your way, you'd probably head for the hills. But for some people, it's just the beginning of a chase.
Witch homicide aside, Dorothy was lucky that her home safely traveled to Oz after the tornado. Many people who lived through the storms on our list were left with nothing.