No one can deny that weather is unpredictable. It is something which we are at the mercy of, despite our greatest efforts as modern humans to control everything. Weather will always be there to shake things up, sometimes catastrophically, other times inspiringly. If you’ve ever experienced a spellbinding natural phenomenon, you can sympathize with ancient cultures which bowed down to natural forces like rain, sunshine, and natural disasters. From the moment humans began peering into the skies, we have been obsessed with trying to explain what makes the rainfall and the sunshine. While most of us have a fairly good grasp on how weather works, we’re here to guide you through some of the more seemingly supernatural weather phenomena which you may be unfamiliar with. Prepare to be blown away!
Our Planet’s Craziest Weather Marvels
You will be very amazed at how you didn’t know when it comes to climate marvels. As phenomenal as these incredible stunts of nature may seem, it is important to remember that we all share the same earth with each other, and that you may one day end up experiencing them yourself! Strap yourself in, we’re going extreme weather chasing!
37. Halo
Have you ever gazed into the paradise, and felt like there really is something divine about the sky and sun? You may have been staring into what is known as a “halo”, which looks like a dazzling rainbow ring around the sun.
Halo
Scarily, halos are often signs that intense storms are on the way, but this is more of a superstition than an exact science. To make this phenomenon more scientific-sounding, you can also refer to halos as cirrostratus clouds. These clouds are made up of countless minute ice crystals which mirror sunlight in an angelic ring shape.
36. Red Moon
Going from the heavenly to the hellish, spotting a blood moon in the night sky is bound to give you goosebumps. It’s very hard to find a culture, past or present, which did not hold this spooky apparition as an ominous omen. Some people believed that children born under a blood moon were cursed!
Red Moon
Before you take your baby for a blessing, however, you might want to know what actually causes a blood moon. It could be ghosts and ghouls, or it could be that this grim red shade is borne of our planet’s shadow reflecting off the moon’s surface. Blood moons are, like most weather phenomena, a rare treat, so you may want to calendarize the date of the next due one. May 26 2021, for Australia, the Pacific, and Asia; and May 16, 2022 for the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
35. Ball Lightning
We finally come to an actually dangerous phenomenon. You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that a ball of lightning, suddenly flashing before your eyes while you sleep in bed, was cast by an evil wizard. Ball lightning can materialize virtually anywhere during a fierce thunderstorm, and this is a process that. scientists recognize, at least they have since the 20th century. Before being officially recognized by the brains of our world, this was another supernatural occurrence best described by the mystics among us.
Ball Lightning
Following decades’ worth of observation, and a rigorous number of attempts to finally replicate the phenomenon within laboratories, scientists still do not properly understand how ball lightning is formed. It’s just another incredible mystery for us to solve!
34. Moonbow
No, this isn’t photoshop, it is indeed possible to spot a rainbow at night! Although you might be shocked if you happen to drive under one at night. Let’s fill you in about how one works, before you call the government.
Moonbow
As the name “moonbow” suggests, this is the night version of the post-rain colorful arch we all know and love so well. This is something you don’t see every day, and you will need a fair amount of knowhow and a trained eye to actually spot one. One must arrive at a specific location, two hours prior to sunrise or following sunset. If you are dedicated enough, you may be in for the nocturnal treat of a lifetime.
33. Fire Whirl
As if tornadoes aren’t bad enough to begin with, nature sometimes feels they aren’t exciting enough, so she sets them on fire. No, this isn’t something out of a cheesy 80s fantasy blockbusters, fire tornadoes are real, and they are incredibly destructive.
Fire Whirl
Better known as fire devils or fire whirls, these swirling fiery twisters will turn anything they suck into their furnace-like centers into ash. Although they visually appear like standard tornadoes, fire whirls are caused when tornado-like air pressure movements come into contact with an already present blaze. Not that you will stand around to debate the differences when near one.
32. Mammatus Clouds
This cloud formation looks like condensation on the ceiling of a greenhouse, or like massive, toxic globules about to rain death on us all. It all matters on your perspective, really, but none can deny that Mammatus clouds are a peculiar sight. Whether you find these gooey clouds calming or unnerving, you are headed for one intense thunderstorm if you happen to spot them!
Mammatus Clouds
So, what causes these ripples in the sky? It is turbulence present inside the actual clouds, and maybe some kind of alien technology. Either way, it’s time to head inside and close all the windows. Good luck!
31. Green Flash
Speaking of aliens, this next weather phenomenon is seriously extraterrestrial in appearance. You may (if you were lucky enough) have once spotted a strange, green flash during one particularly odd sunset.
Green Flash
This peculiarity is called a “green flash,” something which relatively few people have ever actually spotted, appearing to be a UFO-like burst of energy. To catch a green flash, you need to look at the sun just as it sets completely, and not a moment sooner or later! We know what you are trying this afternoon.
30. Aurora Borealis
Known as “Northern Lights” to many, the Aurora Borealis is one of the most magnificent and ethereal weather effects known to man. This heavenly light show is only found in the most frozen parts of the world, close to the Arctic areas.
Aurora Borealis
Getting to grips with the precise science behind the Aurora Borealis might take a while, but basically, these shimmering beauties are created by a mixture of gas molecules crashing into solar winds present in the atmosphere. This then forms the illuminating jade wonders we see hovering in the night sky.
29. Aurora Australis
While you definitely have heard about the Aurora Borealis, what do you know about the southside mirroring of this spectacular sky show, Aurora Australis?
Aurora Australis
These heavenly shimmers occur thanks to the identical causes which form the Aurora Borealis, however, these “Southern Lights” enjoy a single benefit over their northern siblings: they can often be spotted dancing about within warmer climates. That is where the “Australis” part comes in, as members of islands such as Tasmania and New Zealand are often treated to this astral epic. If you are brave, you could even venture forth toward Antarctica to watch the Aurora Australis.
18. Lenticular Clouds
Does this could formation seem a little bit alien to you? If so, you are one of many people who mistakenly dialed the FBI to report a harmless cloud as a UFO! Then there are those who think that the government is testing some advanced weather controlling technology. If we could provide a scientific explanation, however, that would really help toward quelling the more imaginative folks’ fears. We are talking about lenticular clouds!
Lenticular Clouds
These clouds are static, and will not budge from their place, making their appearances ever more unsettling. You can generally spot lenticular clouds hovering above mountainous regions.
27. White Rainbow
No, this isn’t a light show at Burning Man, this is an actual scientifically explainable weather phenomenon. Certainly, you’d probably have a better chance of enjoying yourself at a crazy event like Burning Man than spotting one of these elusive white rainbows. These ghostly apparitions, often known as “fog bows,” can only appear during misty weather, in contrast to your standard rainbow which is caused by sunshine and rain. This incredible paleness seen is caused by minuscule droplets, which then reflects a plainer spectrum of color.
White Rainbow
Those who are dedicated to spotting one may have to do some extensive traveling, all the way to Costa Rica, where the Monteverde cloud forests occasionally host a cloud rainbow. For a possible spotting closer to home, head to Yosemite Falls.
26. Penitentes
No, these aren’t Catholics feeling especially sorry for what they’ve done. These are South American swords and spears made of ice, called penitentes. Next time you are hiking in the mountainous regions of this epic part of the world, keep your eyes peeled for a field of these jagged icy blades. The interesting-sounding name, funnily enough, is actually taken from the Spanish word for “penitents,” referring to how these frosty figures appear to be a congregation of churchgoers kneeling during penance.
Penitentes
You will be amazed to discover that these penitentes can also be found on one of Jupiter’s moons, called Europa (the ice formations, not the Catholics). On this faraway moon, the penitentes can sprout up to 50 feet tall!
25. Supercell
No, this isn’t the final form of some Dragon Ball Z villain, but these ferocious super storms will probably wreak as much havoc. You don’t have to be a weather expert to know that the pictured horror is supremely destructive.
Supercell
We do not know how to describe a supercell other than as one of nature’s most devastating forces. A supercell is unleashed when a thunderstorm stores up a titanic updraft, called a mesocyclone, which then pulverizes everything in its path. The residents of the United States’ infamous “Tornado Alley” are one of the world’s only a few targets of such terrifying weather conditions.
24. Orange Snow
This is no Instagram filter, and it’s not caused by radioactive fallout either. Orange snow is perfectly normal and healthy, as the skiing and snowboarding folk above will prove.
This strangely colored snow is a real rarity in terms of frosty conditions, only occurring when dust from a desert happens to be blown far enough to come into contact with snowfall.
Orange Snow
This happened in 2018 in the snowy regions of Eastern Europe, with the snowfall being sprayed with sandy dust all the way from the Sahara Desert! Before this event, the last recorded orange snow was in 1755.
23. Cappuccino Coast
This sounds like a particularly warm and sunny stretch of Italian coastlands, but it’s actually a rather strange and frothy seashore phenomenon. If you ever arrive at the beach, only to find waves of cappuccino topping-like foam flowing all over the place, you have entered a cappuccino coast!
Cappuccino Coast
Unlike the delicious, airy foam which your milk frothing device creates for your morning espresso, this is a truly foul mixture of rotten fish, chemicals, salt, and a number of other unmentionable ocean gunk, all frothed together by currents. You probably won’t want to run into this water any time soon.
22. Fallstreak Hole
This phenomenon looks like a superhero or UFO flew into our world at the speed of light, piercing the clouds. Sadly, this isn’t proof of the supernatural, but “fallstreak holes” are still incredible sights to behold.
Fallstreak Hole
This incredible cloud anomaly occurs when water droplets within a cloud freeze and form ice crystals, whereupon the newly weighty section drops, creating a hole in the sky. As incredible as fallstreak holes are, they weren’t explainable until modern science came along.
21. Sahara Snow
This might sound like an oxymoron – snow in the desert – but the Sahara Desert was one of some places on the planet where such an anomaly came to be. While the deserts are punishingly hot and arid during the day, it was in early 2018 in the Sahara that the people of a tiny Algerian settlement awoke to find their red sands blanketed with snow. The above picture gives an indication of how this all looked.
Sahara Snow
As you might have guessed, Saharan snowfall is a result of climate change, and this peculiar natural oddity struck the Sahara once more in 2016.
20. Snow Doughnuts
You might have thought we were taking you for a ride a few times throughout this list, but we promise you that each weather phenomenon described is real, even “snow doughnuts”!
Snow Doughnuts
While you might think that a snow doughnut would be awesome to roll down a snowy mountain in, that is exactly how they are formed, mixed with special atmospheric conditions. Rather than a snowball formation, a doughnut is created when the weak center is blown out by the wind.
19. Freezing Rain
Those readers who live in cold climates have probably seen this beautiful sight many times, but to folks from hotter regions, this is an incredible work of nature to behold.
This phenomenon is not very complicated to explain. Freezing rain occurs when normal rain hits already frozen objects, causing the droplets to freeze, forming these stunning frosted waves.
Freezing Rain
Freezing rain can cover almost any surface and object, from plants to power lines. As gorgeous as freezing rain is to behold, it is also supremely hazardous, being insanely slippery, causing pedestrians to suffer bad falls and cars to slide out of control.
18. Volcanic Lightning
Volcanic eruptions are sensationally epic and violent explosions to witness, and you might have noticed that they often bring forth lightning along with all the other incredible visuals.
Volcanic lightning appears thanks to the volcanic ash particles erupting externally, creating static electricity, which then crashes into itself, forming amazing arcs of electricity.
Volcanic Lightning
The force of this crashing is thrilling to behold, but obviously supremely volatile. Weather experts also refer to this unreal event as a “dirty thunderstorm,” a name which we feel takes away from its awesomeness.
17. Waterspouts
It seems like there is a type of tornado for each element, not to mention water tornadoes, which are called waterspouts.
Waterspouts
They do indeed exist, but unlike their fiery and earth-based counterparts, only hold a smidgeon of their ferocity. You can generally find waterspouts in the gorgeous everglades of the Florida Keys. They are usually preceded by intense weather conditions like heavy winds, lightning, and hail, appearing in the far distance of such happenings.
16. Sea Meadows
What happens when frosty air touches lake water with a less cold temperature?
Sea Meadows
You get sea meadows, which are also called frost flowers, appearing like angelic, wispy flowers formed by some frost queen. You can only find these beautiful “flowers” in Arctic regions. They generally solely appear to float along the top of water bodies, like icy lotuses, but they have been spotted sprouting on earth too. Regardless, these are the kinds of rare delights which are bound to make your Instagram feed highly desirable.
15. Sun Pillar
This is a truly heavenly sight to behold, like some place or person is being blessed by the cosmos. Anyone who gazes at a sunset or sunrise shooting out a perfectly golden beam of light might be inspired to pick up a holy book or two. Science is always at hand, however, to erase all superstitions.
Sun Pillar
Sun pillars are formed when light reflects off descending ice crystals, especially those proximal to bodies of water. Nothing can take away from the spectacle, however.
14. Noctilucent Clouds
These gorgeous, wispy blue shimmers turn the sky into a liquid masterpiece of natural splendor. You will struggle to find anything more sensational in the evening sky, other than the Aurora Borealis, of course.
Noctilucent Clouds
Ice crystals are once more to thank for this natural beauty, which reflects light shortly following sunset to form this one of a kind sky effect. Like with the Aurora Borealis, you will have to head to Scandinavia to witness such magic, during the peak of summertime.
13. Belt of Venus
These soft, pinkish-peach tones in the sky are bound to turn any date into a once-off romantic affair. How does the sky become so sentimental-looking?
Belt Of Venus
The Belt of Venus, otherwise called an anti-twilight arch to the less romantic, is a rosy band that accompanies a blue horizon that can occur during sunset and sunrise. The mind-blowing part about all this is that an anti-twilight arch is, in fact, the shadow of our planet! Despite being more frequently-appearing than you’d think, this weather wonder might be more easily spotted than you previously thought.
12. Square Waves – CAUTION!
This one is totally bizarre – you and I both are still struggling to make sense of this grid-like ocean. Waves, in this case, are actually crashing into each other, somehow creating a peaceful looking geometry on the surface.
Square Waves CAUTION
As inviting as this sight may seem, we must warn you not to ever venture into this kind of water, whether on a surfboard or ship, as you will be entering Davy Jones’ locker in no time!
11. Supermoon
Horror movies love featuring massive special effects moons, but it is very rare that you actually spot a moon that seems way too close to the earth for comfort. While you might struggle to witness this titanic moon presence, make sure to catch it when it is full and as close to Earth during its orbit as possible.
Supermoon
This particular moon was illuminated reddishly by the reflection of sunlight and the cleverly chosen angle by the photographer.
10.Spotting a Collection of J-Shaped Trees In a Sloping Manner
We live in a world where supercells, tornadoes, and tidal waves are always waiting to strike when we least expect it. While so many cities and towns have been struck out of the blue by these unpredictable forces, sometimes nature does provide warning signs. Let us get to know some of the more obvious omens so that when disaster is about to strike, we can safely run to the hills!
Walking through the woods is generally a peaceful and therapeutic escape from the stress of daily life. That is until you encounter a group of trees which have strangely bent over into a “J” shape. This could very well mean that a landslide is occurring, albeit very slowly, causing the trees’ trunks to bend like bows. You should keep your eyes peeled for cracked sidewalks, roads, or mounds of earth, which are more obvious signs of things to come.
Spotting A Collection Of J Shaped Trees In A Sloping Manner
Also, landslides are often followed by companions, so just because you avoided the first encounter does not mean that the show is over. There have been plenty of rescue workers and brave civilians who were oblivious to the next wave of incoming earthy devastation. Keep in mind that landslides generally happen on slopes, so keep to level ground if you feel threatened.
9.Fleeing Animals Means Incoming Earthquakes
When animals suddenly start galloping for their lives, you should generally follow in their tracks. The fleeing of animals has been a familiar sign of incoming natural destruction since the days of Ancient Greece, specifically earthquakes. No one, scientists included, has any solid proof regarding what causes our furry, feathered, and scaly friends to quickly exit an area prior to an earthquake.
Fleeing Animals Means Incoming Earthquakes
It is obviously quite difficult to study such behavior when rumbling chaos is imminent.Granted, animal senses are far sharper than human ones, meaning that they can detect subtle earthquake movements moments before we do. This critter emergency evacuation is unfortunately not much help, as the window period does not provide much time to plan an exit route.
8.Hairy Signs Of Imminent Smiting
You might have seen plenty of cool experiments with static electricity which cause people’s hair to stand on end. But if this ever happens to you out in the open, you are very likely to be struck by a lethal bolt of thunder. Being thunderstruck used to spell the end for most people in the early 20th century, but luckily for us modern humans, it is easier to treat such a devastating accident with modern medicine.
Hairy Signs Of Imminent Smiting
If you ever start to feel your hair levitate as if by magic, it is time to bolt for shelter. If you cannot find cover immediately, get down on your haunches and try to squeeze your body into as tight a target as possible. Try to keep your body above the floor as best you can, and then make a dash for safety when possible.
7.Run For An Elevated Position When You Pick Up The Sound Of Coursing Water
Streams or rivers can take a lot of strain during heavy rains, leading to the nearby sound of rushing water, which should prompt you to run for an elevated position as soon as possible. There could very well be a flash flood on its way, which is America’s second most destructive type of extreme weather. You definitely do not want to get in one’s way.
Run For An Elevated Position When You Pick Up The Sound Of Coursing Water
Flash floods have an unbelievably destructive force. Buildings are washed away; trees are plucked out the ground and whole bridges will slide along like rubber ducks in a bath. Flash floods are most likely to activate when dams crumble, levees do not hold up and with continuous heavy rains. Sadly, rain is only pleasant when it does not lead to your town being washed off the map.
6.If There Are No Golden-Winged Warblers In Sight, a Storm Is Incoming
We spoke about the animal-related signs of earthquakes, but did you know that when gold-and-grey golden-winged warblers fly away in droves, a massive tornado could be approaching? It was in 2014 during an April study that weather scientists followed a squad of the little birds across Tennessee when they suddenly all mysteriously fled the state.
If There Are No Golden Winged Warblers In Sight A Storm Is Incoming
Following a quick scan of their geolocators, the experts discovered that the birds were now taking refuge in Florida, with a single outlier spotted in Cuba. Later that week, the flock returned to Tennessee, accomplishing nearly 1000 miles of travel. Experts believe that these little warblers picked up a low-frequency infrasound being emitted by the storms. We obviously cannot sense such fine frequencies, but our feathered friends can.
5.When The Snow Is Broken, An Avalanche Could Be On Its Way
Who doesn’t love being up in the mountains, hitting the slopes with a snowboard or enjoying the crisp air? We will tell you who: those who are caught in a raging avalanche moving at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour! There are ways to head for safety in time, however, just follow the signs.
When The Snow Is Broken An Avalanche Could Be On Its Way
It all comes down to observing the snow itself while stepping on it. If it seems hollow, and makes a strange “whumping” sound, you should then look around for cracks throughout the surface. Further, if avalanches have occurred recently in the area, or heavy rainfall or snow – these factors may also create an avalanche.
4.If The Sky Is Green, Prepare For Extreme Weather
Thunderstorms sometimes take on a green color due to the red rays of the sun mixing with the blue light beneath a storm. This green coloring shows that a thundercloud is alarmingly high and may contain hail, or even a tornado.
If The Sky Is Green Prepare For Extreme Weather
This may appear like something out of a sci-fi movie, but there is nothing fantastic about this kind of storm. It’s time to head indoors and out of the way. It would be best to ride this storm out within your basement, just in case a tornado is forming. Make sure to keep your local news weather handy to keep up to date with the situation.
3.Check Wells For Cloudy Water And See If The Floors Or Walls Are Cracked
You might not consider ever dropping into a sinkhole, but unstable ground is a reality in many places. Limestone collecting underground is the key factor in sinkhole formations, as the mineral will dilute within water. Heavy rainfall or an excess of water storage can also break open the earth.
Check Wells For Cloudy Water And See If The Floors Or Walls Are Cracked
Those who are concerned about sinkholes should search their homes and property in general for warning sings. Such evidence can appear in floor or walls cracks, water within wells becoming cloudy and an inability to close a door securely. Externally, search for suddenly unearthed ponds, trees, and other formerly covered objects.
2.Stay Away From Bodies Of Water Which Stink Or Have Turned Green
Anybody of water that you come across which has turned green, or stinks awfully, must be avoided. Under no circumstances should you or your anyone else enter this water. Here we have an algal boom manifesting within the water, which is a sure indication that an abundance of algae has erupted within and is manifesting on the surface.
Stay Away From Bodies Of Water Which Stink Or Have Turned Green
You cannot be sure whether such algae is toxic or not, but stay way from it all just to be safe. There could be toxins present which may be lethally poisonous for both humans and animals. Generally, such overgrowth of algae is fueled by the dumping of fertilizer into bodies of water. Regardless, your senses should all tell you that this is not going to be a pleasant swim, and that your lake holiday should be postponed.
1.Avoid Consuming Mushrooms Spotted Nearby Trees
Mushrooms may be the perfect ingredient in most pasta dishes and stews, but some of them should only be fed to someone if you desperately need to get rid of them. The Amanita genus contains the most lethal types of mushrooms, such as the “death cap” and “destroying angel.” They do not look that harmful, with the death cap being a mixture of brown and yellow at the cap and white at the stalk, the destroying angel being a deathly white color.
Avoid Consuming Mushrooms Spotted Nearby Trees
Unless you are a mushroom picking expert, you might have some trouble differentiating mushrooms in general. One good way to avoid the unsavory types is to avoid any mushroom sprouting by a tree, which is most likely part of the Amanita family. Just to be sure, do not engage in mushroom picking unless you have spent a good while becoming academically familiar with these otherwise tasty little fellows. Stick to farmer’s markets, they know what they are doing.