Weather is the reason we own weather stations. These are our explainers on how it works, what the forecast terms mean, and the storms and records worth knowing about.
Weather Basics
- What is Weather
- What's the Difference Between Weather and Climate?
- Layers of the Atmosphere: A Guide to Earth's Air Zones
- Types of fronts on a weather map: Be your own weatherman
- Cloud types explained: Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus & More
- What is the Jet Stream?
- What is the RealFeel Temperature?
- What is El Niño?
- The Polar Vortex: Why Winter's About to Get Extremely Cold
- What is an Atmospheric River?
- Atmospheric Rivers Now Have a Global Scale Like Hurricanes
Storms and Severe Weather
- The Difference Between Isolated and Scattered Thunderstorms
- What is a Microburst?
- Squall line on the way? Take cover now
- What is an Outflow Boundary?
- How Does Hail Form?
- 15 Lightning Safety Tips That Will Keep You Safe in a Storm
- Tornado season: Tips and tricks for safety and preparedness
- Tornado Alley is Shifting East. Here's Why That Matters
- Hurricane Formation: From Tropical Wave to Hurricane
- When is Hurricane Season Where You Live?
- The Average Atlantic Hurricane Season is More Active Than Ever
- When is Hurricane Season in Florida?
- What is a Nor'easter?
Winter Weather
- What is a Blizzard?
- What is Sleet?
- What is Freezing Rain?
- Sleet vs Freezing Rain vs Hail
- What are Snow Squalls?
Watches and Warnings
-
What is a Blizzard Warning?
What it means and what you should do to prepare right now -
What is a Flash Flood Watch?
Flash flooding can happen quickly. Here’s how to prepare -
What is a High Wind Warning? Get Prepared Now
High winds can be very destructive, but these warnings give you advanced notice -
What is a Hurricane Local Statement?
These messages from the National Weather Service help you prepare and stay safe -
What is a Hurricane Watch?
Here’s how to prepare for mother nature’s most destructive storms -
What is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch?
Prepare now for all kinds of severe weather, including the possibility of a tornado -
What is a Snow Squall Warning?
Take these wintertime warnings seriously -
What is a Tornado Watch?
How tornadoes form, and how to stay safe if you’re in harms way -
What is a Tropical Storm Watch?
Here’s why you should still take these warnings seriously -
What is a Winter Storm Watch?
A winter storm is on the way. Here’s how to prepare -
What is an Ice Storm Warning?
Severe ice storms can be dangerous. Here’s how to stay safe (by staying home)
Records and Rankings
- The Top 10 Coldest US Cities
- The Top 10 Warmest US Cities
- The 10 Warmest States in the US
- The Top 10 Wettest US States
- What is the Rainiest City in the US?
- Top 10 Driest US Cities
- The Top 10 Snowiest US Cities, Ranked
- The Sunniest US Cities
- 10 Windiest US Cities
- The 10 Stormiest Cities in the US
- The 10 States With the Best Weather Year Round
- What is the Windiest Place on Earth?
- What Was the Coldest Temperature Ever Recorded?
- US Weather Extremes
Weather History
- Remembering the El Reno Tornado of May 31, 2013
- Remembering the Quad State Tornado of December 10, 2021
- Texas Tornado Outbreak/New Orleans Tornado: Mar. 21-23, 2022
- 30 Years Later: Remembering The Great Flood of 1993
- Is the California Drought Over?
- The California megadrought is over. Or is it?
- The 'Great American Solar Eclipse' is One Year Away
- Get Ready for the October 14, 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse
- What is a Superbloom?
