Scientists reveal what smells a storm gives off

Have you ever smelled a storm before the lightning struck? Or smelled rain before the first drops hit the ground? People with a more sensitive sense of smell can detect the scent of rain before it falls, as it actually releases a distinctive odor into the atmosphere. A team of scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research has deciphered the meaning of these odors. So what does a storm smell like? Scientists led by Louisa Emmons have identified three main scents :

1. ozone,
2. petrichor,
3. geosmin.

During precipitation, particles circulate in the air that are usually undetectable. These odorous substances remain dormant until they become saturated with moisture. Ozone The powerful electrical charge carried by lightning causes oxygen and nitrogen molecules to split into atoms. Some of these atoms combine to form triatomic ozone. Ozone is the pungent, most characteristic smell of a thunderstorm. It's imperceptible in the lower atmosphere. It's recognizable just before and during an approaching storm. Petrichor Falling raindrops strike various obstacles and wash everything away from leaves, flowers, and buildings. This creates another odor – petrichor. It's a mixture of alcohols, hydrocarbons, and fatty acids. These compounds are released from decaying plants and animals. In cities, however, its source is different, so the smell can vary. Geosmin The smell of wet earth, just after the rain stops. A metabolic byproduct of bacteria or cyanobacteria. You know it from Polish beaches or Christmas Eve dinners when carp reign supreme. Smells and Survival All these scents hold great significance for the inhabitants of the earth. Freshwater fish use petrichor to know it's time to spawn. Geosmin guides camels to water in oases. Aborigines, on the other hand, believe this scent protects and cleanses, connecting current generations with their ancestors.