Students can use this unique guide to discover not only what causes particular weather events such as avalanches and droughts but also how the weather affects such aspects of our daily lives as business and health. Hundreds of meteorological events, expository facts and fascinating anecdotes are presented to demonstrate the diverse methods people take in coping with or adjusting to the weather. Facts about such events as the worst tornadoes in history, as well as climographs depicting the weather patterns in different parts of the world help to provide the reader with a wealth of unusual information pertaining to the elements.

The first part of the volume describes in detail 20 different kinds of weather elements such as rainfall, hurricanes, fog, and tornadoes, exploring specific ways each impacts on peoples lives. Students will not only learn about the worst storms in history, but will also learn how specific elements have impacted literature and folklore, how weather people predict certain weather patterns, and how people around the world cope with inclement conditions. The second part of the book identifies 10 distinct topics, ranging from history to sports and recreation, that best illustrate how weather affects human culture and activities. Each chapter concludes with a set of climographs depicting areas of the world that are particularly affected by the elements explored in that chapter, and an appendix provides web sites for further research into the areas discussed.