Storm vs. Squall — What's the Difference?

Can include thunderstorms, characterized by thunder and lightning.

Can cause sudden, intense weather conditions, important for aviation.

Affects large areas and can have significant climatic implications.

Often accompanies a change in weather, like a cold front.

A severe weather event with strong winds and often precipitation.

Primarily a concern for navigation and immediate safety.

Hurricanes, defined by strong winds circulating around a low-pressure center.

Defined by specific wind speed criteria.

Blizzards, storms with heavy snowfall and strong winds.

A sudden increase in wind speed, lasting minutes.

A storm is any disturbed state of an environment or in an astronomical body's atmosphere especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather. It may be marked by significant disruptions to normal conditions such as strong wind, tornadoes, hail, thunder and lightning (a thunderstorm), heavy precipitation (snowstorm, rainstorm), heavy freezing rain (ice storm), strong winds (tropical cyclone, windstorm), or wind transporting some substance through the atmosphere as in a dust storm, blizzard, sandstorm, etc.

A squall is a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed lasting minutes, contrary to a wind gust lasting seconds. They are usually associated with active weather, such as rain showers, thunderstorms, or heavy snow.

An atmospheric disturbance manifested in strong winds accompanied by rain, snow, or other precipitation and often by thunder and lightning.

A loud, harsh cry.

A wind with a speed from 48 to 55 knots (55 to 63 miles per hour; 89 to 102 kilometers per hour), according to the Beaufort scale. Also called whole gale.

A brief sudden violent windstorm, often accompanied by rain or snow.

A heavy shower of objects, such as bullets or missiles.

(Informal) A brief commotion.

A strong or violent outburst, as of emotion or excitement

To scream or cry loudly and harshly.

A violent disturbance or upheaval, as in political, social, or domestic affairs

To blow strongly for a brief period.

A violent, sudden attack on a fortified place.

(meteorology) A squall line, multicell line, or part of a squall line.

A storm window.

A sudden storm, as found in a squall line.

To blow with strong winds and usually produce copious rain, snow, or other precipitation

A loud cry or wail.

To behave or shout angrily; rant and rage

To cry or wail loudly.

To move or rush tumultuously, violently, or angrily

A sudden and violent gust of wind often attended with rain or snow.

To assault or capture suddenly

A loud scream; a harsh cry.

To travel around (a place) vigorously in an attempt to gain support

To cry out; to scream or cry violently, as a woman frightened, or a child in anger or distress; as, the infant squalled.

To shout angrily

Sudden violent winds; often accompanied by precipitation

Any disturbed state of the atmosphere, especially as affecting the earth's surface, and strongly implying destructive or unpleasant weather.

Make high-pitched, whiney noises

A thunderstorm.

Utter a sudden loud cry;

A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; violent outbreak.

Blow in a squall;

(meteorology) A very strong wind on the wind scale, stronger than a gale, less than a hurricane (10 or higher on the Beaufort scale).

(military) A violent assault on a stronghold or fortified position.

(impersonal) (weather it) To be violent, with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow.

(intransitive) (metaphor) To rage or fume; to be in a violent temper.

To move quickly and noisily like a storm, usually in a state of uproar or anger.

(transitive) [army; crowd, rioters] To assault (a significant building) with the aim to gain power over it.

(transitive) to assault, gain power over (heart, mind+).

A violent disturbance of the atmosphere, attended by wind, rain, snow, hail, or thunder and lightning; hence, often, a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail, whether accompanied with wind or not.

A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; sedition, insurrection, or war; violent outbreak; clamor; tumult.

A heavy shower or fall, any adverse outburst of tumultuous force; violence.

A violent assault on a fortified place; a furious attempt of troops to enter and take a fortified place by scaling the walls, forcing the gates, or the like.

To assault; to attack, and attempt to take, by scaling walls, forcing gates, breaches, or the like; as, to storm a fortified town.

To raise a tempest.

To blow with violence; also, to rain, hail, snow, or the like, usually in a violent manner, or with high wind; - used impersonally; as, it storms.

To rage; to be in a violent passion; to fume.

A violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightening

A violent commotion or disturbance;

A direct and violent assault on a stronghold

Behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

Take by force;

Rain, hail, or snow hard and be very windy, often with thunder or lightning;

Blow hard;

Attack by storm; attack suddenly

A storm is a significant weather event characterized by strong winds, precipitation, and potentially thunder and lightning, affecting large areas and lasting for extended periods.

Types of storms include thunderstorms, hurricanes, blizzards, and tornadoes, each with distinct characteristics and impacts.

Yes, squalls can occur with or without precipitation; they are primarily defined by the sudden increase in wind speed.

Storms can cause widespread, prolonged damage and disruption, while squalls are more localized and brief but can still pose significant danger, especially to navigation and aviation.

During a squall, it's important to seek shelter, reduce speed if driving or sailing, and avoid flying objects if outside, due to the sudden increase in wind speed.

Storms are measured and categorized by scales based on wind speed, precipitation, and other factors, such as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale for hurricanes.

Squalls are significant because they can cause sudden, severe weather changes, requiring immediate adjustments to ensure safety in navigation and flight.

A squall is a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed, often accompanied by brief but intense weather conditions, lasting for minutes.

Preparations for a storm can include securing property, stocking up on essentials, and staying informed through weather forecasts and advisories.

While not all storms cause damage, they have the potential to be dangerous due to strong winds, heavy precipitation, and other severe weather elements.

Yes, storms can influence climate change by altering precipitation patterns and temperatures, and severe storms may become more frequent with global warming.

Yes, storms can contribute to water cycles by providing significant precipitation, which can replenish groundwater and reservoirs, despite their potential for destruction.

A squall typically lasts for minutes, making it a brief but intense weather phenomenon.

Squalls are often caused by cold fronts, thunderstorms, or rapid changes in atmospheric conditions that lead to a sharp increase in wind speed.

Meteorologists predict squalls by analyzing weather patterns, radar data, and atmospheric conditions that indicate the potential for sudden wind speed increases.