You don’t always need a weather app or a meteorologist to know when a storm is approaching. Nature gives plenty of warning signs if you know what to look for. From changes in the sky to animal behavior, these clues can help you prepare before the first raindrop falls.
Here are 10 reliable signs that a storm is on its way, even if you don’t have access to the news.
1. Sudden Drop in Temperature
A quick temperature drop often signals a cold front moving through, which can bring thunderstorms, rain, or snow. If the day starts warm but suddenly turns chilly and windy, it’s a sign that bad weather may be on the way. Keep an eye on the shifting conditions!
2. Dark, Tall Clouds Forming
Cumulonimbus clouds, with their anvil-shaped tops, are a clear indicator of severe weather. If these clouds are growing quickly, it means unstable air is building a storm, likely bringing thunder, lightning, and even hail or tornadoes. Stay alert when you spot them!
3. The Wind Suddenly Changes Direction
When the wind shifts direction suddenly and dramatically, it often signals that a storm front is moving in. Before a storm, winds typically increase, changing from a steady breeze to unpredictable gusts, indicating an impending weather shift. Stay prepared for the change!
4. Unusually Still Air
Before some storms, the air can become eerily calm, known as the “calm before the storm.” This occurs when warm, rising air is drawn into the approaching storm, creating a brief silence before strong winds and rain arrive. Stay alert for the sudden change!
5. Animals Acting Strange
Animals have a natural sense of changes in air pressure and humidity, so unusual behavior can signal an impending storm. Look for signs like birds flying lower or going silent, pets acting anxious, or livestock huddling or lying down. If wildlife starts behaving strangely, a storm could be on the way!
6. Halo Around the Sun or Moon
A halo around the sun or moon, caused by ice crystals in the upper atmosphere, often signals a rainstorm or snowstorm within 24-48 hours. It’s a useful way to predict wet weather before the clouds even arrive. Keep an eye out for this natural sign!
7. Increasing Humidity and Sticky Air
If the air feels hot, muggy, and thick, it means there’s a lot of moisture in the atmosphere, which can fuel thunderstorms. When humidity spikes and the sky starts to darken, prepare for rain, lightning, and potentially severe storms. Stay ready for the change!
8. A Strong, Unusual Smell in the Air
Have you ever smelled rain before it arrived? The scent comes from ozone, the sharp smell before thunderstorms; petrichor, the earthy scent from the soil; or sulfur, often linked to strong storms and nearby lightning. If the air smells different, a storm may be on the way!
Read More: Top 10 Weather Phenomena That Science Still Doesn’t Fully Understand
9. A Drop in Air Pressure
A sudden drop in air pressure is a clear sign of an approaching storm. You might notice headaches, ear popping, or creaking doors and rattling windows due to pressure changes. The air may also feel heavier as the storm builds.
Read More: Never Do These 10 Things During a Thunderstorm
10. Distant Thunder or Lightning Without Rain
If you see lightning or tune in evacuated thunder, a storm is likely drawing closer. To gauge how far off it is, check the seconds between the lightning and thunder each 5 seconds breaks indeed with 1 mile. In fact, if it’s sunny where you are, storms can move quickly, so stay orchestrated.
Final Thoughts
Nature gives plenty of warning signs before a storm arrives. By learning to read these clues, you can prepare early, stay safe, and avoid getting caught off guard.
Next time you’re outside, see if you can spot these weather signals before the storm even shows up on the radar!
Read More: 15 Smartest Ways to Prepare for a Hurricane Before It Hits
