Discover why hurricanes and tornadoes are so destructive. Understand the impacts of extreme weather and how forecasting and warning systems help keep people safe.

Originally published in 1995 in New York by DK Publishing.

Weather folklore --Early forecasts -- What is extreme weather? -- Extreme causes -- Severe winds -- Thunderous storms -- Twisting tornadoes -- Tornado force -- Measuring tornadoes -- Lightning strikes -- Hailstorms -- Hurricane alert -- Devastation -- Hurricane strikes -- Fog and smog -- High seas -- Snowstorms -- Avalanche -- Floods and landslides -- Heat waves -- Deadly droughts -- Polar extremes -- Weather watch -- Disaster relief -- Nature's survivors -- Climate change -- El Niño -- Freaky conditions -- Beyond Earth -- Did you know? -- Timeline.