Weather can be a fascinating topic of conversation as it affects everyone and can be quite unpredictable. Find out all about the weather with these 10 interesting facts about the weather that you may not have known. From the thunderstorms to the weather in space, this list has it all. Read on to learn more about the science behind the weather.

1. There are about 2,000 thunderstorms happening right now!

Thunderstorms happen when hot and cool air meet.

2. The lowest temperature ever recorded is −89.2 °C

It was recorded at the Soviet Vostok Station in Antarctica.

It’s not the coldest temperature ever but it is the coldest that humans have ever detected.

3. The highest temperature ever recorded 58 °C

That was recorded in the Libyan Desert.

Again, it’s not the hottest ever – remember, water boils at 100ºC – but it is the hottest naturally occurring temperature due to the weather.

4. Crickets tell the temperature

This one’s weird!

How often crickets chirp varies according to temperature.

To get a rough estimate of the temperature, count the number of chirps in 15 seconds.

The number you get will be an approximation of the outside temperature!

5. A sandstorm swallowed an army

It’s known as the Lost Army of Cambyses and we’ve found some archeological evidence it exists.

In 524 BC, Persian Emperor Cambyses sent an army of 50,000 people to attack somewhere else.

Seven days into their march, a massive sandstorm broke out and buried the entire army, never to be seen again.

6. The Thames has frozen!

In 1684, it was so cold that the River Thames froze solid for two months.

It’s the first time the Thames has frozen for that long. But it’s not the first time it’s ever frozen.

In fact, if you look hard enough, you might be able to find some photos of people skating on parts of the Thames!

7. Hailstones don’t have a size limit

In theory, anyway.

In 1995, the record for damage ever recorded by a hailstorm was broken when hailstones bigger than cricket balls fell in Texas in the United States.

There are reports of hailstones the size of bowling balls also falling!

It gives a whole new meaning to Mind Your Head.

8. Spiders love warm, damp weather

That’s why they love to get into all the little nooks in your home in the autumn as they look for better places to nest!

9. Snakes love tornados

…but not for the reason you think.

A hurricane in Florida in the United States of America once caused 900 captive pythons to escape!

10. Space has weather too

It’s true! Solar winds and more.

Watch this video to find out all about it!

Send us your favourite facts!

Is there something we've missed? Got a fact you're dying to tell us? Submit it below and we could use it on a future Top 10 Facts page! 

Remember to always ask an adult before filling out forms online.