Dear Mr. Skilling,
What do we actually smell when we say we smell rain?
George Gibson
Chicago, Ill.
Dear George,
Theories abound concerning “the smell of rain,” but a definitive explanation has yet to be advanced. We do know it’s not ozone (produced when thunderstorm electricity is present) because the smell occurs even without thunderstorms.
Local vegetation probably contributes. Reactions between rainwater or high humidity and certain volatile substances in or on plants releases aromatic chemicals into the air. The pleasurable scent of approaching rain might very well be the smell of wet plants.
In addition, olfactory specialists say moisture and lowering air pressure–conditions often maximized as rain arrives–enhance our sensitivity to smell while hastening the release of fragrant molecules from plants.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
