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If the sound of thunder makes you anxious, or the sight of spaghetti models during an approaching hurricane has you spooked, you are not alone.

Weather phobias are very real and more common than you might think.

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As much as 12% of the population has a weather-related phobia, according to a study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.

What is a weather phobia?

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines phobia as a "marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation."

You may love a fresh blanket of snow, but that same sight could strike horror in others. Similarly, an afternoon thunderstorm may bring peace and a desire for a nap in some, but it may terrorize someone else.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), "This is common, especially in children and those who have experienced a traumatic or major weather event."

Common weather phobias include:

• Astraphobia (aka brontophobia): fear of thunder and lightning
• Ancraophobia: fear of wind
• Chionophobia: fear of snow
• Lilapsophobia: fear of tornadoes or hurricanes
• Nephophobia: fear of clouds
• Ombrophobia: fear of rain

Some uncommon weather phobias include:

• Thermophobia: fear of heat
• Homichlophobia: fear of fog
• Heliophobia: fear of the sun
• Achluophobia: fear of darkness
• Anablephobia: fear of looking up or of the sky falling

How to cope with weather-related phobias

The NWS says knowledge is power, and having a plan and being prepared when severe weather strikes can help with anxiety.

Here are a few tips to help you get ready and hopefully alleviate some of those frightful feelings when bad weather approaches:

• Have a plan: Know where your safe space is, get a weather radio, pack an emergency kit
• Have three ways to receive warnings
• Emergency kit supplies/lists can be found here
• Practice your plan
• Learn about your local warning systems: outdoor sirens, mass notification systems, etc.
• Learn about weather and its terms (i.e. watch vs. warning vs. advisory)

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