earth-sciences

Meteorology & Weather Systems

Weather fronts, tornadoes, hurricanes, atmospheric pressure, and cloud classification — explore the physics that drives Earth's weather systems.

meteorologyweatheratmospherestormsclimateclouds

Meteorology is the science of the atmosphere, translating the chaotic dance of air masses, pressure gradients, and moisture into weather forecasts that affect billions of daily decisions. From the collision of cold and warm fronts to the terrifying vortex of a tornado, weather phenomena obey the same thermodynamic and fluid-dynamic principles — yet produce staggeringly diverse outcomes.

These simulations let you manipulate atmospheric variables in real time. Steer a cold front into warm moist air and watch precipitation form. Spin up a mesocyclone to see how tornadoes are born. Adjust sea-surface temperature to observe hurricane intensification. Explore the barometric formula and discover why clouds form at specific altitudes.

5 interactive simulations

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Atmospheric Pressure & Barometric Formula Simulator

Explore how atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude using the barometric formula, and understand the physics behind weather systems

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Cloud Classification & Altitude Simulator

Explore the 10 cloud genera classified by altitude and formation process — from low stratus to towering cumulonimbus

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Hurricane Structure & Saffir-Simpson Scale Simulator

Explore hurricane anatomy from eye to rainbands, adjust sea-surface temperature and wind shear to see how hurricanes intensify or weaken

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Tornado Formation & Mesocyclone Simulator

Watch a mesocyclone develop from wind shear and updraft interaction, and see how tornadoes form from rotating supercell thunderstorms

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Cold & Warm Front Dynamics Simulator

Visualize the collision of cold and warm air masses, observe frontal lifting, and see how precipitation forms along weather fronts