You vs. Weather: Be in the Know : Discovery News

How do hurricanes get their names?

Tropical storms have been given names for hundreds of years, but the process has changed over time. Find out the origins of the names, and how we do it today, in this article.

Why does the United States have more tornadoes than any other country?

The United States experiences the most tornadoes of any country in the world. What is it about the country's topography that makes it so prone?

10 Costly Weather Disasters

While people have discussed the weather forever, it's only in the last century or so that the cost of these events has been measured in terms of loss of life and property damage. Here's a list of the 10 costliest weather disasters in history.

Disaster Preparedness for Your Pet

Each year devastating disasters happen that affect both humans and animals. Find out how you can prepare every member of your family for unexpected disasters.

What's one of the most accepted causes for increasing hurricane intensity?

Many scientists think that there's an ongoing increase in hurricane intensity -- especially in certain regions like the North Atlantic -- and that it stems largely from global warming. Is it true?

What causes the greatest number of deaths from a hurricane?

Ninety percent of hurricane- and cyclone-related deaths are not a result of the winds. Find out what the gusty winds can pick up and what causes the most destruction.

What should you do if you are caught in an avalanche?

Skiing, snowshoeing and other outdoor activities are a great way to stay active during the winter. However, if you get caught in an avalanche, do you know what to do?

How can I prevent being struck by lightning?

Lightning storms pose considerable danger, most specifically to people who get stuck outdoors. In this article, find out what to do to minimize your risk of being struck by lightning.

What should you do to prepare for a tornado?

First things first: know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. After you determine what sort of alert you're under, use these tips to keep your family safe.

How can you reduce the chances of getting caught in an avalanche?

While it's true that ski patrols and other park organizations work to reduce the likelihood of an avalanche, there are steps you can take too. Find out the precautions in this article.

Is it safe to fly into a hurricane?

Even though flying into a hurricane may not seem like the best idea, it's an essential way that meteorologists and storm chasers study them. What do they hope to benefit by doing something so dangerous?

How can you stay safe if a tornado strikes while you're at home?

There are steps you can follow to maximize your safety during and immediately after a tornado. What can you do to protect your family when the twister is at your door?

How should I protect myself during an earthquake?

Where you find yourself when an earthquake strikes makes all the difference in how you protect yourself. This article tells you what to do if you're inside, outside or driving when the ground begins to rumble.

What are some common causes of wildfires?

On average, 5 million acres (2 million hectares) of U.S. land burns each year in wildfires. What are some of the common causes?

How can you stay safe when outside during a tornado?

If you find yourself outdoors as a tornado approaches, the best plan is to get into a solid building with an in-ground foundation. What does that mean? Find out here.

What should I do in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake?

After the earthquake and the first aftershocks, what should you do if you're inside? Taking these steps will help keep you safe in the wake of an earthquake.

Are there any specific times of year when hurricanes are most common?

Hurricane season is a very real part of every year. Why is this the case? Find out.

What happens during a tsunami watch?

Once an earthquake measuring at least 7.5 on the Richter scale is detected, a tsunami watch goes into effect. What organizations are monitoring them for us, and what can you do while they're watching?

What makes floodwaters so dangerous?

When many people try to imagine the dangers posed by floodwaters, they tend to think of drowning. But drowning is not the most common cause of death in a flood. Even if you're a skilled swimmer, you need to be careful during a flood. Find out why.

What makes tsunamis so dangerous?

Tsunamis can come quickly with little warning and can't be seen until they hit shore with powerful force. Learn more about tsunamis at Curiosity.com.

What makes some volcanoes more destructive than others?

The destructive power of a volcano depends on how thick the molten rock is, and how much gas it contains. Learn about the conditions that cause mountains to blow their tops in this article.

What was the most destructive storm of all time?

Though this storm hit land as only a Category 3 hurricane, it caused a great deal of damage due to the topography of the area it struck. What storm are we talking about, and is there a chance for history to repeat itself?

What are the main sources of damage during a hurricane?

There are two chief sources of terrestrial damage during a hurricane. First is the high sustained winds. What's the second?

Why is there calm before a storm?

The phrase "calm before the storm" has been used for generations, and many people believe it: that the worst storms are immediately preceded by a period of calm, smooth weather. Does mother nature really give us a hint that something bad is coming?

Why do tornadoes stop spinning?

Although scientists have yet to determine the exact reason that a tornado may suddenly die down, significant research has been done on the subject. Learn about the leading theories in this article.

Fact or Fiction: Costly Weather Disasters Quiz

Everyone likes talking about the weather, but how much do people really know about it? Here are some statements about the weather that may or may not be true.

Meteorology Quiz

There are lots of things that go into the foundation of what makes the weather. How much do you know about the workings of the atmosphere and the scientists who study it?

Storm Watcher Quiz

Here's a little challenge -- with some useful tips -- for anyone who might be thinking about setting out on their own storm chase. Are you a born storm chaser?

Tornado Basics Quiz

How fast do tornadoes move? How long do they last? See how well you know your tornado basics.

Tornado Myths and Facts

Basic tornado information is no secret, but it's amazing how many myths, some of them dangerous, still persist. Take the quiz and see how clean your record is.

Tornado Forecasting Quiz

Severe weather meteorologists have been working hard over the last decades to improve detection and warning times for tornadoes. How much do you know about their techniques and tools?

Episode and Real-Time Weather Tracker

Whether you want to chase them, or stay away, it's good to know where the tornadoes are forming. Find out what storms may be heading your way with this live storm tracker.

Ultimate Storm Chasers Quiz

Think you can hunt down the twisters with Reed and the Dominator team? Here's your chance to show off your brains and bravery as the storm gets close.

Drivers, Tweeters Deputized as Mobile Meteorologists

The National Weather Service (NWS) wants you, your car and your cell phone. Specifically, NWS wants weather data from all three of those sources. Find out why.

Mysterious Weather Pulses Help Predict Hurricanes

Every month or so, a wave of mysterious weather pops up over the Indian Ocean and begins marching eastward through the tropics. Could this phenomenon help us predict hurricanes?

Tackling Extremes to Find a Climate 'Missing Link': Big Pic

In Indonesia, one of the world's last tropical glaciers is dying. The glacier has shrunk in size by 80 percent since 1936, and most of that since the 1970s. How much time does it have left?

Plants Are Key to Climate Change Outlook

Tiny pores in plant leaves, poorly understood until now, are integral to creating accurate climate change forecasts. How can something so small give us clues into something so large?

Top Snowstorms in History Named: Big Pic

The East Coast has seen the sort of snowfall that will become fodder for the "in my day" stories of the future. How will our recollections compare with the history books?

Worst Blizzards in U.S. History

Defining the worst snowstorms takes much more than measuring the amount of snowfall. This list spans the entirety of American history, starting with a storm during the Colonial period.

Stranded by the Blizzard? 6 Tips for Weathering the Storm

It's not always possible to avoid getting trapped by a winter storm. Here are some interesting, inspiring and informative lessons from people who were stranded that may help it it happens to you.

Top 10 Tornado Myths

Because tornadoes are more feared than they are understood by many of us, numerous myths and misconceptions about them have developed. Here are 10 of the most common myths.

Climate Change Quiz

Perhaps you heard — the earth is warming. Test your knowledge of global climate change with this quiz.

Extreme Weather Quiz

Scientists warn that global warming is already causing dangerous changes in the weather. How much do you know about the extremes of weather we’ve already seen and those that might come?

Top 10 Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are the stuff that fear is made of. We can prepare for them, but we can't prevent them. Get the real science behind nature's deadliest disasters.

Top 10 Volcanic Eruptions

These days, we can often see the bad news coming, since most volcanoes send off a few warning shots before they erupt. That's a good thing, too, because when they blow ... time to go!

Weather Puzzles

Can you piece together this puzzle before the pieces get swept away in the storm?

10 Countries with Perfect Climates

A perfect climate means different things to different people. These 10 countries span the globe and offer a wide range of climate alternatives to satisfy any taste -- hot, cold or in between.

Can animals predict the weather?

If animals can predict the weather, do we stop trusting the weatherman and start visiting the zoo to get tomorrow's forecast?

Why would someone fly an airplane into a hurricane?

It may seem like a reckless display of aeronautical ability, but guiding an airplane into a swirling beast of a hurricane gleans data that can save lives. Who were the crazy mavericks who attempted it first?

Was there really a great flood?

Many cultures have a flood myth -- an ancient story of a deluge that swallowed the Earth. Could a great flood really have happened, and how would we be able to tell?

Fact or Fiction: Hurricane Quiz

In spite of all the strides we've made in hurricane research over the past century or so, these violent storms sometimes defy prediction. How much do you know about these destructive storms?

5 Most Destructive Storms

Witch homicide aside, Dorothy was lucky that her home safely traveled to Oz after the tornado. Many people who lived through the storms on our list were left with nothing.

Fact or Fiction: Tornado Quiz

Tornadoes have always been a source of fascination, especially in the United States. They drop from the clouds, wreak havoc and then vanish. Test your tornado smarts.

12 of the Most Destructive Earthquakes

Earthquakes are caused when plates in the Earth's crust slip past each other, which releases energy waves in the ground. Find a list of 12 of the most destructive earthquakes in history.

15 Tornado Safety Tips

Tornadoes are dangerous things, so it's important for you and your family to be prepared in the event of one. See our list of 15 tornado safety tips.

Top 5 Ways that Wildfires Start

Wildfire isn't always bad for a forest -- it can clear brush, fertilize soil and open new space. But if a prescribed burn or even a small campfire gets out of control, it can quickly destroy forest, homes and wildlife. How do wildfires start?

Fact or Fiction: Earthquake Quiz

Earthquakes, like volcanoes, happen all the time -- but most of them are so minor we can't feel them. What other facts about earthquakes might you know? Test yourself.

Everyday Science: Flood Quiz

Floods hold a prominent spot in the creation myths of many cultures, and today they kill more people every year than any other extreme Earth phenomenon. How much do you know about floods?

If you flew over an earthquake, would you feel the plane shake?

Let's say a big one strikes the home planet. You, however, happen to be flying above the earthquake's epicenter when the natural disaster ripples through. Would you feel it?

How to Survive an Earthquake

If the big one struck, would you be ready? No? Then start reading and stocking up on food, water and other essential supplies. And hurry up. For some of you, it's not "if" but "when."

10 Biggest Snowstorms of All Time

If you've ever lived in a northern climate, you know snowstorms -- and the damage they can cause -- quite well. Heavy snowfall is just one mark of a bad storm, but the biggest snowstorms of all time also brought strong winds and bitter cold.

How Weather Alerts Work

The weather can change instantly, depending on your location. Learn how you can receive up-to-the-minute weather alerts, no matter where you are.

You vs. Weather: Be in the Know

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