Weather facts can help us understand our changing climate better. For instance, lightning strikes the Earth about 100 times every second. That's 8.6 million times a day!
Another fascinating weather fact: the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth was 134°F (56.7°C) in Death Valley, California in 1913, while the coldest was -128.6°F (-89.2°C) in Antarctica.
What weather facts have you found most surprising or helpful for understanding our planet's climate systems?
The lightning fact is shocking (pun intended)! Here's another weather fact: snowflakes are always six-sided because of the molecular structure of water ice. The hydrogen bonds in water molecules arrange themselves in a hexagonal pattern as they freeze.
Also, it can be too cold to snow. While snow requires cold temperatures, extremely cold air holds very little moisture, so heavy snowfall is actually more likely at temperatures around 15-30°F (-9 to -1°C) rather than in extreme cold.
Weather facts help explain phenomena that seem counterintuitive and give us a better understanding of atmospheric science.
The temperature records are fascinating! Here's another weather fact: the fastest wind speed ever recorded on Earth was 253 mph (408 km/h) during Tropical Cyclone Olivia in Australia in 1996. That's faster than the top speed of most Formula 1 cars.
Also, hail can reach the size of softballs or larger. The largest hailstone ever recorded in the US was 8 inches in diameter and weighed nearly 2 pounds, falling in South Dakota in 2010.
Weather facts demonstrate the incredible power of atmospheric systems and help us appreciate why meteorology is such a challenging science. The variables are constantly changing and interacting in complex ways.
Here's a weather fact about extreme precipitation: the wettest place on Earth is Mawsynram, India, which receives an average of 467 inches (11,871 mm) of rain per year. That's about 39 feet of rain!
Also, lightning can strike the same place twice - in fact, tall structures like the Empire State Building get struck about 25 times per year on average. The saying lightning never strikes twice" is a myth.
Weather facts help correct common misconceptions and give us a more accurate understanding of atmospheric phenomena. They're especially important for safety and preparedness.