Weather

From extreme weather and droughts to lightning and heat waves, this is the latest science on what's happening in the atmosphere right above your head.

Latest in Weather

Close up of solar flare
Science

The first US solar storm emergency drill did not go well

By Andrew Paul

thousands of birds take to the sky
Environment

Weather radar picks up over 1 million migrating birds

By Margherita Bassi

A man suffering from hay fever next to a flowering shrub.
Science

Why are some cities worse for allergies than others?

By Laura Baisas

several lightning strikes in the distance. a man crouches down in a squatting position with his hands over his ears. a red circle with a line through it is over the image, indicating that this is not what to do during lightning
Environment

Actually, it’s not safe to crouch during a lightning storm

By Laura Baisas

Ambient weather stations on sale for Amazon big spring sale
Gear

The best home weather station is cheaper than ever during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

By Stan Horaczek

Red sprite timelapse seen over Himalayan mountains
Environment

Astrophotographers help crack mystery of ‘sprite fireworks’

By Andrew Paul

Best home weather stations sliced header
Gear

The best home weather stations

By John Alexander

two side by side illustrations. on the left, a man with a red background sweating next to a thermometer with a high temperature. on the right, a man with a blue background shivering next to a thermometer with a lower temperature
Environment

What is ‘feels-like’ temperature? A meteorologist explains.

By Laura Baisas

a scientist holds a large rescued sea turtle in a lab
Environment

Dozens of cold-stunned turtles rescued in Florida

By Laura Baisas

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Environment

This crowdsourcing app is a lifeline for Californians tracking wildfires

By Mack DeGeurin

a glacier hiker climbs in the foreground with a headlamp as a rainbow colored aurora dances above
Science

11 sensational images from the Northern Lights Photographer of the Year awards

By Popular Science Team

Snowcat car in a snow ski resort.
Environment

The science of ski grooming

By Alisha McDarris

a fire burns in the woods
Technology

Navigation app uses government data to help off-roaders avoid wildfire areas

By Kristin Shaw

storm clouds and a rainbow form over narrow islands. a lighthouse
Environment

10 striking snapshots from the Weather Photographer of the Year awards

By Popular Science Team

orange and yellow leaves on the ground of a forest
Environment

Why 60 degrees in fall feels different than in the spring

By Laura Baisas

First responders and residents alike are using drones to assess hurricane damage and search for missing persons.
Environment

Drones are playing a critical role in Milton and Helene recovery

By Mack DeGeurin

A US Navy officer releases a weather balloon over the Atlantic Ocean in 2009. Today, the United States launches around 76,600 balloons annually to gather high-altitude weather data on air temperature, pressure, and humidity.
Environment

Weather forecasting is deadly for marine wildlife

By Danielle Beurteaux / Hakai Magazine

The night sky in Wisconsin glows with the Northern Lights as a geomagnetic storm brings vibrant pink and green colors to a majority of the northern states.
Environment

Northern Lights dazzle in stunning photos from Key West to NYC to China

By Popular Science Staff

Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Stadium with roof destroyed by Hurricane Milton
Environment

Drone footage shows Hurricane Milton shredded Tropicana Field’s roof

By Andrew Paul

Lightning strike at night
Environment

NASA’s U-2 spy plane found gamma rays in 90% of lightning storms

By Andrew Paul