Severe Weather | MNN - Mother Nature Network

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Waterspout with lightning above a city

Dangerous meteorological phenomena with the capability to cause damage, disruption or death are often referred to under the blanket term of severe weather. Severe weather is also part of the larger umbrella term of natural disasters, which includes land, water, fire, health and space disasters.

These phenomena can occur over a vast swathe or in a relatively small area. High winds are a major cause of severe weather; they may take the form of tornadoes, downbursts, waterspouts, cyclones, etc. Other forms of severe weather include lightning, precipitation (e.g., snow, rain, sleet, hail), lack of preciptation (i.e., drought), extreme heat and extreme cold.

Excluding flash floods, the U.S. National Weather Service issues a warning across media whenever a severe weather event occurs. The photo here depicts a waterspout with lightning near a city. (Photo: Shutterstock)

California super bloom blanketed by spring snowstorm

California super bloom blanketed by spring snowstorm

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Dramatic lightning strike over a forest

Dramatic lightning strike over a forest

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A lightning strike as captured by NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren aboard the International Space Station. The strike was so intense, it briefly illuminated the Station's solar panels.

A lightning strike as captured by NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren aboard the International Space Station. The strike was so intense, it briefly illuminated the Station's solar panels.

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Man outside in the snow looking very cold

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woman in snow holding up a grapefruit

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Karen Klein and her family

Karen Klein and her family

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A woman sits on top of giant, natural snowballs, or slob ice

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Hurricane Matthew loop scenario in Florida

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water coming out of a faucet

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Lightning sprites at an observatory

Lightning sprites at an observatory

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