A storm (Proto-Germanic *sturmaz "noise, tumult") is any disturbed state of an astronomical body's atmosphere, especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather. It may be marked by strong wind, hail, thunder and/or lightning (a thunderstorm), heavy precipitation (snowstorm, rainstorm), heavy freezing rain (ice storm), strong winds (tropical cyclone, windstorm) or wind transporting some substance through the atmosphere (as in a dust storm, blizzard, sandstorm, etc.). Storms generally lead to negative impacts to lives and property, such as storm surge, heavy rain or snow (causing flooding or road impassibility), lightning, wildfires, and vertical wind shear; however, systems with significant rainfall can alleviate drought in places they move through. Heavy snowfall can allow special recreational activities to take place which would not be possible otherwise, such as skiing and snowmobiling.
Read more about Storm: Formation, Types, Classification, Extraterrestrial Storms, Effects On Human Society
Famous quotes containing the word storm:
“I know my lazy, leaden twang
Is like the reason in a storm;
And yet it brings the storm to bear.
I twang it out and leave it there.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“Think of the storm roaming the sky uneasily
like a dog looking for a place to sleep in,
listen to it growling.”
—Elizabeth Bishop (1911–1979)
“Those who want to row on the ocean of human knowledge do not get far, and the storm drives those out of their course who set sail.”
—Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872)