The sun is shining more, the clocks have sprung forward, and our winter clothes are tucked back into the closet. Summer is just around the corner.
But since we live in the UK, rain can arrive at any moment, no matter how warm or bright the day starts. Last summer wasn’t great for us—Europe and the U.S. faced an extreme heatwave, a rare event that could be seen as either a blessing or a curse. We can only hope that we don’t experience that kind of flooding again.
Apparently, you can smell a storm brewing. (Getty Stock Image)
Weather forecasts can be unreliable, and sometimes it feels like predicting the temperature is no more accurate than throwing a dart at a board. So, is there a better way to tell when it’s going to rain?
Some people claim they can actually smell rain before it arrives, while others on social media dismiss the idea entirely. Of course, those who can’t do it won’t believe it. After all, how can rain—which is just water—have a scent?
Well, science has the answer.
It turns out there is actual scientific evidence supporting the idea that some people have the ability to physically smell rain before it arrives. This phenomenon is thanks to something called petrichor.
The word petrichor comes from the Greek language, combining petros (meaning stone, like in “petrify”) and ichor, the mythical fluid believed to flow through the veins of Greek gods.
Not such a strange word anymore, is it?
The distinct smell associated with rain is actually produced by bacteria in the soil. These bacteria release a chemical called geosmin, and our ability to detect it is surprisingly strong—stronger, in fact, than a shark’s ability to smell blood in the water.
This scent is most noticeable after a period of rain, when raindrops hit the ground and form tiny puddles. As they splash and settle, they trap pockets of air. Then, like mini aerosols, they release microscopic bubbles into the atmosphere, carrying geosmin and other organic compounds with them.
But that’s not the only scent associated with rain. Another chemical, ozone, also plays a role. Ozone has a distinct, slightly sweet smell, and its presence can be a sign that a storm is approaching. This happens because storm winds push pockets of ozone gas from higher in the atmosphere down to ground level, where our noses can pick it up.
So, if you find yourself taking a deep breath and noticing an unusual scent just before a downpour, your nose might be warning you before the raindrops even hit.
The next time the sky turns grey, take a sniff—you might just be able to dodge the rain before it starts.
