Severe Weather Educational Resources

The Most Extreme Weather in America

satellite imagery of lightning

North America is home to a variety of climate types and severe weather events. To stay ahead of severe weather, satellites continually monitor our atmosphere. The data and images they collect are sent back to Earth in near real-time. Meteorologists keep a close eye on that satellite data to warn us about extreme weather heading our way. When it comes to watching out for severe weather, the GOES and JPSS satellites have us covered! 

Learn more about the most extreme weather in America!

Hurricanes

Image at NESDIS
How Does a Hurricane Form?
The most violent storm on earth How Does a Hurricane Form?
Hurricane Florence seen from space over the atlantic and Florida.
Hurricane Simulation
Play the game Hurricane Simulation
Hurricane Erin seen from space over the atalantic ocean
Video: How Do Hurricanes Form?
Watch the video on hurricane formation Video: How Do Hurricanes Form?
Typhoon Yagi
How Big Was Typhoon Haiyan?
One of the largest and strongest typhoons ever How Big Was Typhoon Haiyan?

Tornadoes

Image of a tornado over the planes
What Causes Tornadoes?
Tornadoes form from a large thunderstorm What Causes Tornadoes?
Drawing of a tornado
Tornado Simulator
Adjust the tornado! Tornado Simulator

Thunderstorms & Lightning

Image of a thunderstorm over the US.
What Causes a Thunderstorm?
Moisture, unstable air and lift can cause thunderstorms What Causes a Thunderstorm?
Lightening striking the ground.
What Causes Lightning and Thunder?
Static charges are always "looking" for opportunity What Causes Lightning and Thunder?
Image of lightening mapped over the United States
How Far Away Is Lightning?
You can figure it out by counting the seconds How Far Away Is Lightning?
a drawing of the word zap and a red cross in the upper left hand corner.
Make Lightning with ZAP!
Charges that build up within a storm cloud Make Lightning with ZAP!
black and white sketch of a receiver.
A History of Lightning Detection
Lightning detectors actually detect radio waves A History of Lightning Detection
Drawing of a wind gust.
What Is a Gust Front?
A line of dangerously gusty winds What Is a Gust Front?

Flooding & Drought

Flooding through a city street.
Causes of Floods
Conditions that lead to heavy rain Causes of Floods
A truck in a river
What Can Cause Severe Flooding?
Heavy rain and raging rivers What Can Cause Severe Flooding?
An american flag in front of phillips 66 gas station.
What Is a Derecho?
Fast-moving bands of thunderstorms What Is a Derecho?
A storm over a petrified forest.
What Is a Monsoon?
A shift in winds What Is a Monsoon?
Dry cracked ground.
What Causes a Drought?
Drier than normal conditions What Causes a Drought?