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)
Farmers' Almanac warns of brutal winter
August 16, 2017, 1:07 p.m. by Michael d'Estries
The 2017-2018 winter weather forecast should elicit cheers from skiers, boarders and snowmobilers.
'Pursuit' is a stunning paean to thunderstorms
August 11, 2017, 4:45 p.m. by Russell McLendon
The new time-lapse film features a tornado birth, lightning bursts and a rare 'fluid sunset,' all in 4K resolution.
Kids cross raging river to get to school
August 11, 2017, 11:43 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
And you thought walking uphill both ways in the snow was tricky.
New Zealand rabbits surf sheep to escape flood
August 2, 2017, 10:57 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
Clever rabbits catch a dry ride to safety.
Juno snaps pix of Jupiter's Great Red Spot
July 13, 2017, 1:47 p.m. by Christian Cotroneo
The first images are in — and this is just the beginning.
Lightning: How much do you know about this striking weather phenomenon?
June 26, 2017, 11:16 a.m. by Sidney Stevens
Lightning is more than just a stunning spectacle. Take our quiz to see how much you really know about this electrifying natural wonder.
Record-breaking snowstorm puts a damper on California's 'super bloom'
May 11, 2017, 3:30 p.m. by Michael d'Estries
Part of the state's most prolific bloom since 1999 is now buried under 10 inches of snow.
NOAA's lightning tracker makes flashy debut
March 9, 2017, 5:02 p.m. by Michael d'Estries
Parked more than 22,000 miles away, the next-generation weather satellite is keeping a close eye on thunderbolt strikes on Earth.
What happens to your body when you get frostbite?
January 31, 2017, 2:06 p.m. by Chanie Kirschner
When cold air freezes exposed skin, your body starts thinking ahead — but there are potential consequences.
Turkish mall rolls out the welcome mat for homeless dogs as temperatures plummet
January 11, 2017, 9:24 a.m. by Mary Jo DiLonardo
They're offering blankets, boxes and shelter to helpless street dogs.
11 great snowstorm foods
January 6, 2017, 2:14 p.m. by Mary Jo DiLonardo
There are better options than just grabbing all the bread and milk you can carry.
East Coast hunkers down for 'bombogenesis'
December 30, 2016, 8:37 a.m. by Michael d'Estries
The ominous-sounding term is used to describe a storm that rapidly intensifies in a short period of time.
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