Weather & Climate

Clouds, storms and seasons: what the atmosphere is doing and why, from everyday forecasts to hurricane mechanics.

Everyone checks the forecast; this shelf explains where it comes from. Weather is the atmosphere doing physics in public, and once you can read the signs, a cloud type or a pressure drop stops being trivia and starts being information.

The guides cover the sky's whole repertoire: cloud types from cumulus to the rare lenticular saucers, storms from garden-variety thunderheads to hurricanes and tornadoes, and the seasonal machinery of monsoons, fronts and jet streams. The instrument articles explain how anemometers, barometers and rain gauges actually measure what they measure, and the climate entries keep the long view honest.

Browse the featured guides above for the storm references, or the full list for a specific cloud, instrument or phenomenon. If you arrived mid-storm, the safety lines in each article follow the published guidance of weather authorities, stated plainly.

Weather & Climate

A Layman’s Guide to How a Sling Psychrometer Works

May 14, 20156 min read

A sling psychrometer is a simple instrument that can be used to measure the humidity in the air. Here, we shall find out how a sling psychrometer works.

Sleet and Hail - What is the Difference?

Apr 14, 20154 min read

Hail, being larger in size than sleet or ice pellets, is formed by the accumulation of layers of freezing water in the clouds. Sleet, however, is formed due to temperature difference in the atmosphere. Know more about these two forms of precipitation through this ScienceStruck article which gives a comparison between sleet and hail.

Illuminating Facts About Mammatus Clouds That You Never Knew

Mar 3, 20153 min read

Many tend to believe that mammatus clouds or the beautiful pouch-like patterns occurring in the sky give rise to tornadoes. However, this is not true. ScienceStruck provides some information and facts about this distinct cloud formation.

Valuable Information About Altocumulus Clouds That’s Worth a Read

Feb 12, 201511 min read

Altocumulus clouds are middle-level clouds that form at a height of around 6,500 to 20,000 feet above the sea level. There are several species and varieties of altocumulus clouds.

Essential Facts About Global Winds You Really Didn’t Know Before

Feb 4, 20156 min read

Wind is very crucial to the Earth’s environment and the variations in climatic conditions. Global wind patterns have a lot more to them than just the direction of their flow. Here is an interesting fact sheet about the global winds brought to you by ScienceStruck.

A Brief Look at the Causes and Effects of Temperature Inversion

Jan 30, 20156 min read

The dynamics of the Earth’s atmosphere is a blessing to all of us. Part of this dynamism includes the process of temperature inversion. ScienceStruck informs you about the causes and effects of this process.

The Real Difference Between Wall Clouds and Shelf Clouds

Jan 28, 20154 min read

Though both walls clouds and shelf clouds are associated with thunderstorms, they are quite different from each other. ScienceStruck helps you with some information about them and enlists the differences between the two.

Real-life Examples of Weathering

Jan 27, 20156 min read

Rocks are disintegrated by various natural processes. This disintegration can also be referred to as the decomposition of rocks. Chemical, physical, and biological weathering are some of the types of these processes. For better understanding, this ScienceStruck article enlists various real-life examples of weathering.

Unbelievably Fantastic Facts About Roll Clouds

Jan 20, 20153 min read

Roll clouds, a type of arcus clouds, have a tumbling appearance when observed in the sky. We provide some information about this unusual weather phenomenon.

Rare Information About Altostratus Clouds You’ll Want to See

Jan 13, 20153 min read

It is a well-known fact that altostratus clouds are mid-level clouds. But how do these clouds look and what are the other characteristic facts about them? This piece from ScienceStruck will not only make you aware about the many facts related to altostratus clouds, but will also provide you with some beautiful images of its varieties.

Facts about Cumulonimbus Clouds (with Pictures)

Jan 9, 20154 min read

Clouds come in different shapes and sizes. Did you know that there are clouds in the shape of an anvil? Strange and unusual, isn’t it? Those are cumulonimbus clouds for you! This ScienceStruck article takes you through some facts, description, and formation of cumulonimbus clouds.

History and Working Principle of the Anemometer

Jan 8, 20153 min read

An anemometer is a device that measures the speed of wind. Its design and working principle is fairly simple and hasn’t changed much ever since 1846. This ScienceStruck post provides a brief history of the device along with its working principle.

Easy Explanation of an Occluded Front With Diagram

Jan 7, 20153 min read

This article brings to you the characteristics of an occluded front. Such a type of weather front is formed when a warm front and a cold front come in contact with one another.

4 Warning Signs of an Approaching Hurricane You Really Must Know

Jan 2, 20154 min read

The aftermath of a hurricane leaves behind a trail of damage and disrupted infrastructure. The path of these beasts of nature is difficult to predict, yet scientists are constantly studying them to find ways and signs to predict their formation. ScienceStruck will provide you with details about the early signs of an incoming hurricane, and the warning symbols used for it.

What is a Storm Surge and How is it Formed?

Dec 2, 201410 min read

A storm surge is a destructive weather phenomenon that forms near sea coasts by hurricanes or cyclones. In this article, we shall learn what is a storm surge and how does it form. We’ll also look at what safety tips one can take to minimize the damage caused by these surges.

Different Types of Storms That Will Blow Your Mind

Nov 28, 201410 min read

A storm is a common natural phenomenon. When there is a newsflash about a storm approaching, it is important to know which type it is, since the precautions to be taken will differ accordingly. As such, ScienceStruck enlightens you about the different types of storms that occur.

A Detailed List of All Weather Symbols and Their Exact Meanings

Jul 21, 20148 min read

The different symbols on your smartphone’s weather app have specific meanings. You must be updated with all the information about the various types of weather signs, along with their meanings and illustrations.

Captivating Facts About Lenticular Clouds That’ll Blow You Away

Mar 24, 20145 min read

Lenticular clouds are saucer-shaped clouds that are often witnessed over mountains and mountain ranges.

When Hurricanes Strike

Sep 3, 20114 min read

You may have never seen a tornado in your life, yet when it comes to the spiritual level regardless of our maturity, the tornadoes and hurricanes will eventually come our way. What are we to do then?

Types of Ozone Generators

Jul 5, 20113 min read

Ozone generators are of various types and each one of these produces ozone in a distinct way. Ultraviolet generators, cold plasma generators and corona discharge generators are the main types of ozone generators available to us. So, let us know more about these types in this article.

What Causes Mechanical Weathering

Jun 21, 20114 min read

Mechanical weathering is a process where big rocks are broken down to smaller fragments due to physical forces acting on them. Read more about what causes mechanical weathering by going through the following article.

Causes of Hurricane Katrina

Jun 14, 20114 min read

A critical evaluation of the prominent causes of Hurricane Katrina intended to put forth the details as to how this tropical depression festered into a full-fledged Category 5 Hurricane, and caused such wide-scale destruction in the United States.

Exosphere Facts

Jun 11, 20113 min read

A compilation of some interesting facts about the exosphere intended to shed light on this layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, which is sometimes - though incorrectly, considered a part of the outer space. Continue reading....

Cyclone Vs. Tornado

Jun 7, 20114 min read

If the terms like cyclone, hurricane, typhoon, tornado, and twister tend to leave you confused, here is some information on cyclone (aka hurricane or typhoon) vs tornado (aka twister), with reference to how they differ from each other, which will help you get rid of all this confusion.

Types of Rainbows

Jun 6, 20116 min read

A beautiful streak of colors paints the sky after a fresh shower of rain. It’s the rainbow, and its sure gets us mesmerized. Did you know that there are different types of rainbows? Well, we have some interesting facts about them in the article below. Read on...