Surprising Fun Facts About Weather and Climate

Antarctica is the driest place on Earth, with some areas receiving less precipitation than the Sahara Desert.

The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -128.6°F (-89.2°C) in Vostok Station, Antarctica, in 1983.

Raindrops are not tear-shaped; they actually resemble the shape of a small hamburger bun as they fall.

Lightning can occur during a volcanic eruption, a phenomenon known as a 'dirty thunderstorm'.

A single bolt of lightning contains enough energy to toast 100,000 slices of bread.

The highest recorded temperature on Earth was 134°F (56.7°C) in Furnace Creek Ranch, California, in 1913.

In the Arctic and Antarctic, there are times when the sun does not set for up to six months, a phenomenon known as polar day or midnight sun.

Clouds can weigh more than a million pounds, with large thunderstorm clouds holding up to 500,000 tons of water.

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is so large that it can be seen from outer space.