Lightning and storm clouds at sunset near Bowman, Nebraska
Lightning and storm clouds at sunset near Bowman, Nebraska (© john finney photography/Getty Images)
World Meteorological Day
Today, we celebrate World Meteorological Day, commemorating the founding of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. For the annual event, WMO places emphasis on a different pressing topic each year. The slogan of 2025, 'Closing the early warning gap together,' highlights the importance of timely weather alerts and early action.
Pictured here is the awe-inspiring anvil crawler lightning in Nebraska, a state renowned for its tornadoes and thunderstorms, typically during spring and summer. Anvil crawlers are tree-like lightning discharges that move horizontally. These lightning bolts illuminate the sky and are a testament to nature's power. Nebraska's unique geography, with its Great Plains and frequent thunderstorms, makes it a hotspot for such phenomena. Thanks to the WMO's advancements in meteorology, we can better predict and respond to these dramatic weather events, safeguarding lives and property.
© john finney photography/Getty Images