Q: Can you Smell a Thunderstorm coming?1. Ozone – That "Fresh, Metallic" Smell
One of the most recognizable scents people notice before a thunderstorm is ozone. It has a sharp, slightly sweet, chlorine-like smell. This scent is often carried down from higher altitudes by strong winds ahead of a storm.
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How it's made: Lightning splits nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the atmosphere, which can recombine to form ozone (O₃).
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Why it smells "stormy": Ozone from the upper atmosphere gets pushed down to nose level by turbulent air before a storm hits.
2. Petrichor – That "Earthy" Smell
If it starts to sprinkle or just before it rains, you might notice a pleasant earthy smell. That’s called petrichor.
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What causes it: Petrichor comes from oils secreted by plants and a compound called geosmin, released by soil-dwelling bacteria. When the first raindrops hit dry soil, they aerosolize these compounds, releasing them into the air.
3. Sulphur or Musty Smells
Occasionally, people report a sulphur-like or musty smell. This might be due to:
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Electrical discharges (again, like lightning).
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Decaying organic material stirred up by wind and humidity.
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Rarely, it could even be from nearby lightning strikes hitting certain materials.
4. Moisture and Ionized Air
The atmosphere becomes heavier and damper as storms approach. The increased humidity and charged particles in the air can create a noticeable shift in how things smell and feel.
So Why Do We Notice These Smells?
Because our noses are sensitive to changes in the environment. Before a storm, the combination of humidity, wind direction, and ionized particles can bring otherwise unnoticed scents down to ground level.
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