Severe weather refers to any dangerous
meteorological phenomena with the potential to cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of human life. Types of severe weather phenomena vary, depending on the
latitude,
altitude,
topography, and
atmospheric conditions. High winds,
hail, excessive
precipitation, and
wildfires are forms and effects of severe weather, as are
thunderstorms,
downbursts,
lightning,
tornadoes,
waterspouts,
tropical cyclones, and
extratropical cyclones. Regional and seasonal severe weather phenomena include
blizzards,
snowstorms,
ice storms, and
duststorms.