1

Fire tornado, California

Image: Zoltan Tasi

A tornado is bad enough, but imagine a fire tornado—you’re entering a whole new level of catastrophe. This is exactly what occurred in 2018 near Redding, California, during the infamous Carr Fire event.

Intense wildfires almost always produce fire devils, fire whirls, and occasionally stronger vortexes resembling the tornadoes associated with severe thunderstorms. Fire tornadoes typically range from 100 to 1,000 feet in diameter , with rotational velocities of up to 90 mph. However, the Redding fire tornado was fueled by winds reaching an astonishing 143 mph .

2

Freak March heat wave, Midwest region

Image: Nadiia Ploshchenko 🇺🇦

High temperatures can be expected in the Midwest region but never for such an extended period during the winter season as occurred from March 14 to March 22, 2012 . Over these eight days, some areas experienced average daily temperatures that were 40°F above normal. Remarkably, even the daily low temperatures in certain locations exceeded the record highs for those dates.

On March 21, the temperature reached 90°F in Lapeer, Michigan—a stark contrast to the subzero temperatures that have often occurred in these same locations at this time of year, when snowpack is typically at its deepest.

3

Two F5 tornadoes at the same place on the same day

Image: Greg Johnson

F5 tornadoes are exceedingly rare. Only a handful of tornadoes of this intensity have been documented outside of the United States. Since 1900, just 104 of these monsters have been recorded anywhere on Earth.

This rarity makes the event on April 3, 1974 , near the town of Tanner, Alabama , even more astounding. Located about 20 miles west of Huntsville, Tanner was struck by two F5 tornadoes within just 30 minutes of each other.

4

The Dust Bowl

Image: Samantha Sheppard

The Dust Bowl, one of the most devastating weather events in American history, has a shared responsibility between nature and human interaction . In the 1930s, poor land management practices and unsustainable farming methods led to prolonged drought and massive dust storms in the Great Plains.

This ecological disaster forced thousands of families to abandon their homes, triggering a mass migration to find better opportunities elsewhere. As the Great Depression intensified, drought and decades of overfarming dried out the topsoil, leading to a series of dust storms from 1933 to 1939 that carried the soil eastward.

5

The Galveston Hurricane

Image: NASA

In 1900 a category 4 hurricane struck the city of Galveston, Texas , with devastating force, claiming an estimated 8,000 lives and causing widespread destruction. This tragedy prompted the construction of a seawall and the implementation of hurricane preparedness measures that continue to shape coastal planning and response strategies that are still in place today.

6

A summer-less year

Image: Todd Diemer

The combination of a tepid spring with late snows and an exceptionally cold summer, featuring frosts in July and August made 1816 a year without a proper summer . On July 4th, the high temperature in Savannah, Georgia, was only 46°F. Finally, there was a drought during early fall that culminated in a killing frost well before the end of September.

The apparent cause of this unusually cold summer was the eruption of the Tambora Volcano, half a world away in Indonesia, in 1815. A tremendous cloud of fine ash and dust was ejected into the stratosphere, where it remained for an extended period, significantly reducing the sun's heat and light and causing a cooldown throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

7

The darkest day

Image: Ganapathy Kumar

On May 19th, 1780, an extremely dark overcast mixed with thick smoke from nearby forest fires made the day feel like night for the people of New England. The mysterious event was first reported at dawn over southwest Vermont, and it slowly traveled southeastward during the day. The last place to report this strange weather was Barnstable, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, in the late afternoon.

In Boston, the atmosphere darkened noticeably after 9 a.m., to the point where reading newsprint outdoors became difficult. Many New Englanders believed that Judgment Day was at hand.

8

Animal rain

Image: Sanket Rajurkar

It should come as no surprise that the number of people who have heard of raining animals is much higher than the number of those who have actually experienced this phenomenon. After all, these types of rain are highly unusual.

The first documented instance of raining frogs was in Kansas City in 1873. In Texarkana, Texas, another strange form of precipitation occurred—this time in the form of fish falling from the sky. According to science, animal rain occurs when small aquatic animals like frogs, crabs, and small fish are swept up in waterspouts or drafts that occur on the surface of the earth. They are then rained down along with the rain.

9

Technicolor solar storm

Image: Luke Tanis

Unlike the northern lights, which usually appear as blue and green swirls in the sky, solar storms are so intense that they create a kaleidoscope of colors and can also be seen in regions where people have never witnessed them before.

In 2012, one of these events produced a stunning aurora over Crater Lake in Oregon. Scientists believed that two clouds of glowing particles were flung toward Earth by sunspots larger than our planet.

10

Super refraction

Image: Matthijs van Schuppen

Imagine waking up and being able to see much farther than you ever could before. That is exactly what happened in 2013 to the people of northern Ohio. They were stunned to find that they could see the Canadian shoreline, which is not at all possible under normal circumstances.

Locals were able to see Canada because of a rare natural phenomenon known as super refraction, where rays of light are bent downward toward the surface of the Earth. This bending occurs because of changes in air density. During this light-bending, distant objects that are usually hidden from view become visible, as they are reflected in the rays of light.

1

Grand Teton and its central peaks

Image: Toan Chu

No matter how many national parks you visit, Grand Teton will always rank among the most beautiful in the country. As evocative as it is inspiring, this national park in northwestern Wyoming saw the arrival of the first settlers, the brave frontiersmen. It also offers some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the world and is a great place for climbing and hiking enthusiasts.

The highest mountain in the park is Grand Teton itself, standing at 13,770 feet, but there are 10 other peaks that reach an impressive height of more than 11,000 feet. The interesting thing is that, to the naked eye, these mountains appear even larger, since they all rise abruptly from the otherwise flat terrain of the Jackson Hole Valley. Six alpine lakes nestled in the foothills of the central peaks, along with a fascinating array of wildlife, complete the scenery of one of the best parks on the West Coast of the US.

2

Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park

Image: Joris Beugels

The deep blue color of Crater Lake has been the objective of many attempted descriptions, but none comes close to the impact you feel when you see it with your own eyes. In fact, the first name given to it by non-native Americans was simply "Deep Blue Lake." This intense blue color is a result of the lake’s immense depth —reaching 1,932 feet at its deepest point—making it one of the world’s deepest lakes.

Located in south-central Oregon, this volcanic crater lake spans 5 miles in width and 6 miles in length, with a 20-mile shoreline. The dimensions and color are enough to attract visitors, but its setting, surrounded by lava cliffs ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet above the lake's surface, makes it all the more remarkable.

There are many ways to enjoy Crater Lake, which is beautiful all year round. In winter you can rejoice in a true winter wonderland, and in summer, you can hike the trails and go boating or fishing in the bright blue water.

3

Mount Rainier

Image: Peter Robbins

Perhaps the most famous peak in the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade Range is Mount Rainier. This dormant—but not extinct—ice-clad volcanic mountain stands at an impressive 14,410 feet. Though it is not the highest of mountains, Mount Rainier’s sheer bulk and the fact that it is set apart from its neighboring peaks make it the dominant landmark of the region. So much so that it is commonly referred to by locals simply as "The Mountain."

Located in Washington State, just 59 miles south-southeast of Seattle, Mount Rainier is visible from over 100 miles away on clear days. Rainier’s legendary beauty is as great as its overpowering size. Its 27 glaciers cover more than 34 square miles, making it the largest single-peak glacial system in the lower 48 states.

4

Half Dome in Yosemite

Image: Aaron Lee

Yosemite National Park in California is justifiably one of America's most famous and beloved parks. Its spectacular scenery is sure to impress even those who have seen practically every other park in the country. And, in turn, probably the most iconic landmark of Yosemite is Half Dome, a quartz monzonite batholith that rises 8,800 feet above sea level.

Once considered impossible to climb, Half Dome now draws thousands of adventurers to its distinctive, hooked summit each year. The 14- to 16-mile round-trip hike via the Half Dome Cable Route offers outstanding panoramic views of Vernal and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, Yosemite Valley, and the High Sierra. This is a journey you definitely can't miss!

5

Hyperion Tree in Redwoods National Park

Image: Josh Carter

Redwood National Park in Northern California protects nearly 140,000 acres of land and almost 40 miles of Pacific coastline. Bathed in a temperate rainforest climate, the park receives up to 140 inches of rainfall annually. This cool moisture, along with rich forest-floor soil and the trees' ability to sprout new buds, allows coast redwoods to reach lofty heights and venerable old age.

These exceptional conditions have made this park home to the world's tallest tree. Standing at an astonishing 380.3 feet, Hyperion, a Sequoia sempervirens , is considered the tallest living thing on record, including the plant and animal kingdoms. Most experts say it’s 600 years old, although some think it may be as old as 900 years. Currently, the exact location of Hyperion is not publicized to protect it from potential damage from mass tourism.

6

Mount Mckinley in Denali

Image: John Feng

Mount McKinley is the highest point in North America , standing at an awe-inspiring 20,320 feet. The almost-four-mile-high giant was known to the Native Americans of Alaska as Denali , "The Great One," a fitting tribute to one of the world’s best-known mountains.

During winter, on clear days, it is possible to see the glacier-capped summit, and the true power of nature manifests itself. In spring, when the snow melts, nature unfolds, wildflowers bloom, grizzly bears emerge from their long hibernation, and you can find mooses, caribous, foxes, and wolves roaming around the park for a memorable encounter with the wilderness.

7

Devils Tower National Monument

Image: Mick Kirchman

Devils Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks, not only in Wyoming but in the entire United States. Rising 867 feet, this gigantic monolith is visible from up to 100 miles away on clear days! Devils Tower is particularly striking because of its huge, hexagonal rock columns, estimated to be around 50 million years old. The butte is also among the most unusual of the many geologic formations in the country.

Another interesting fact about Devils Tower is that it was designated as the first U.S. national monument in 1906 by Theodore Roosevelt, under the Antiquities Act, due to its scientific and scenic value. Native Americans have long regarded the Tower as a sacred site too. In fact, over 20 Native American tribes have a cultural connection with it, the Lakota people consider it the birthplace of wisdom.

8

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park

Image: Zoshua Colah

Spanning 76,680 acres of desert land, Arches National Park in eastern Utah protects more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. But perhaps the most iconic one is the 52-foot-tall Delicate Arch. It’s so famous that its image appears on state license plates as well as on a postage stamp issued in 1996 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Utah's founding. Fun fact: the Olympic torch for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics even passed under this arch!

In addition to checking out its most emblematic landmark, this park is a great place to visit any time of the year thanks to its hot, desert climate . There are lots of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, from biking, horseback riding, and hiking to taking a minute to appreciate the colorful wildflowers while enjoying an idyllic sunset.

9

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park

Image: Emily Campbell

Yellowstone is probably the name people are most likely to associate with "national park" and is the very symbol of the American West. It was established by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872 and is the largest megafauna location in the United States. Apart from its scenic mountains, wildflower meadows, and photogenic canyon, perhaps the most emblematic features of Yellowstone National Park are its geysers.

Among these, Old Faithful is certainly the most famous one. Erupting approximately every 90 minutes, it delights visitors with spectacular displays. Shooting up to 8,400 gallons of boiling water nearly 150 feet in the air, it was the first of its kind to be discovered in 1870 by the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition when they entered the Upper Geyser Basin. Today, Old Faithful attracts around 500,000 visitors a month.

10

Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Image: Fineas Anton

Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is famous for its brownish-red mountains with fantastic shades of purple and lilac, skinny slot canyons, and vertigo-inducing cliffs. The most paradigmatic of these rock formations is Angels Landing, a towering 1,488-foot monolith, accessible via a challenging 2.5-mile trail.

The best way to experience Zion is by hiking the trail that hugs the cliffside, crossing a narrow ridge flanked by sheer drops. Sounds too dangerous? Believe us, the reward is worthwhile. Atop Angels Landing you will not only have access to an epic view of Zion Canyon but it's also possible to spot California condors soaring gracefully between the sandstone monoliths, alongside 287 other bird species!

1

Roswell Incident (New Mexico, 1947)

It was July 1947 when something extraordinary happened near Roswell, New Mexico: a mysterious, large object crashed on a ranch outside the town. It wasn't an airplane, it wasn't a helicopter, it didn't resemble any known aircraft at the time. Interestingly, the military first described it as a "flying disc," only to later retract the statement and claim it was just a weather balloon. This shift caused endless theories and made Roswell perhaps the most famous UFO story of all time.

2

Kenneth Arnold Sighting (Washington, 1947)

No one knows the skies better than pilots, and in June 1947, one of them, Kenneth Arnold, saw something that would change the way we think about extraterrestrial life. According to his report, Arnold spotted nine bright objects moving near Mount Rainier, Washington. He described their flight as being like "a saucer skipping across water." That phrase would go on to coin the term "flying saucer," marking what many consider the beginning of the modern UFO era.

3

Washington, DC, Flap (1952)

Do you think UFO sightings only happen in rural or remote areas? Between July 12 and 29, 1952, something unexplainable occurred over Washington, DC. People in the US capital reported seeing mysterious objects moving randomly in the sky. But that wasn't all; pilots and even radar stations reported the same. While the US Air Force suggested that temperature might have affected radar performance, the sightings were never fully and clearly explained.

4

Kelly-Hopkinsville Encounter (Kentucky, 1955)

On August 21, 1955, two families in rural Kelly, Kentucky, experienced something straight out of their wildest nightmares. In the evening, a bright, fleeting light appeared in the sky. According to their reports to the police, the light was followed by the arrival of small creatures with large eyes and long arms, described as "little green men," who allegedly approached their homes and peered through the windows. Terrified, the families shot at them for nearly four hours, until the "little green men" finally seemed to disappear. When police arrived the next day, the houses were empty. According to neighbors, both families had packed up and left, saying the creatures had returned around 3 a.m.

5

Kecksburg UFO Incident (Pennsylvania, 1965)

We all know what to do when we see a shooting star: make a wish! But that was far from the reaction in Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, where on December 9, 1965, residents watched what looked like a massive fireball streak across the night sky before crashing into a forest on the town’s outskirts. Some people rushed to the site and claimed they saw a large metallic object shaped like an acorn. The military arrived soon after and launched an investigation that suggested it may have been a meteor or space debris. But the doubters were not convinced, and the event sparked a wave of theories and speculation that continues to this day.

6

Coyne Helicopter Incident (Ohio, 1973)

On October 18, 1973, near Mansfield, Ohio, something occurred that would challenge even the most stubborn skeptics. Captain Lawrence Coyne was piloting a US Army Reserve helicopter when it was allegedly intercepted by a large, cigar-shaped craft flying erratically at high speed and emitting green and red lights. During the encounter, the helicopter suddenly ascended beyond Coyne’s control. People on the ground witnessed the event and later confirmed parts of the pilot’s account. To this day, the incident remains unexplained.

7

Cash–Landrum Incident (Texas, 1980)

The ’80s were a wild decade, and that even included alleged encounters with alien spacecraft! In December 1980, three people reported a terrifying experience while driving through Texas: they were suddenly forced to stop when a huge craft hovered over the highway. According to their account, the metallic object emitted bright lights and intense heat. Later, all three developed physical symptoms, including burns, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. Medical reports suggested these effects were consistent with prolonged radiation exposure, although it could not be proven that the incident itself caused the symptoms.

8

Hudson Valley UFO Wave (New York, 1982-1986)

An isolated UFO sighting involving just a few people is one thing. But it’s quite another when, for years, hundreds of people report sightings in the same place with similar characteristics. We’re talking about New York’s Hudson Valley, where for several years (1982–1986), residents, police officers, and even pilots reported UFO sightings. Many described the same thing: a large craft with a V-shaped row of lights that moved strangely and flew very low, sometimes even approaching houses. While some skeptics claimed they were planes flying in formation, witnesses didn’t fully accept this explanation.

9

Phoenix Lights (Arizona, 1997)

If one person’s sighting seems hard to believe, maybe the testimony of thousands will convince you. In March 1997, one of the most famous UFO events witnessed by large groups occurred. Thousands of people reported seeing the same phenomenon in the skies over Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico: a formation of lights moving silently and strangely across the night sky. Even Fife Symington, the then-governor of Arizona, later claimed he had seen the lights himself.

10

O'Hare Airport Sighting (Illinois, 2006)

If your skepticism has lasted this long, the next story might make you rethink everything. In November 2006, a large group of pilots, mechanics, and airline staff spotted a metallic, disc-shaped object hovering above United Airlines Gate C17 at O’Hare International Airport just outside Chicago. Witnesses say the object punched a circular hole in the clouds before shooting off. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) initially called it a "meteorological phenomenon," but later-released ATC audio reveals tower and ground staff discussing the object in total confusion.