Weather Phobias

by Lisa Binion

Lately, the news has been filled with accounts of capricious acts of weather. Powerful weather phenomena are fascinating to watch, yet terrifying because of the destruction they leave behind. The fierceness of tornadoes and hurricanes leave one speechless and amazed. The beauty of lightning fills one with admiration for the hand that guides this streak of electricity to its destination. Each accompanying boom of thunder reminds us of the One in control of it all.

Then there are the calming weather phenomena. The gentle rains that water the earth, the snow that blankets the ground, the cooling breezes, and the clouds that form pictures for those with an imagination.

Phobias exist for all types of weather phenomena. In this article, I will share information about six of them.

Anemophobia is the fear of air, wind, or air drafts. Those with this phobia fear that wind has the ability to blow away their personal identity and belongings.

Chionophobia is the fear of snow. Some people with this phobia simply hate snow of any kind and amount. Others fear being snowbound. I don’t like being snowbound, but those with chionopohobia fear it and won’t venture out in the snow at all for fear of being stranded. Even just a forecast of a terrible winter storm can cause panic and feelings of helplessness.

Lilapsophobia is the fear of tornadoes and/or hurricanes. Some fear of these fierce storms is perfectly natural when you consider the damage and destruction that they bring. Those afflicted with this phobia could possibly have lived through an extremely fierce hurricane or tornado. Think about the survivors of the damaging tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri. How have they been affected by this terrible weather phenomenon? For those who have survived such a catastrophe, even just a forecast of such an event occurring can bring on severe anxiety attacks.

Nephophobia is the fear of clouds. Hard to believe that a person could be afraid of the white, fluffy things in the sky, but remember, they aren’t always so innocent looking. When filled with rain, they grow dark and sinister looking. Just pictures of clouds have the ability to send into distress those afflicted with nephophobia.

Ombrophobia is defined as a persistent, irrational fear of rain. Has anyone ever told you that “you will catch your death” if you go out in the rain? Maybe you were told that going out in the rain would make you sick. Some people take these words to heart and become really depressed when it rains The majority of people don’t like being rained on, unless maybe they are coming out of a long, dry drought. But not liking being rained on and having a phobia of being rained on are two completely different things.

Astraphobia is the fear of thunder and lightning. My indoor dog has astraphobia. Anytime she hears thunder, she heads straight for the bathroom and climbs in the tub. One of my outdoor dogs definitely does not have this phobia; he tries to leap up and attack the flashes of light and the loud booms. People who have this phobia may hide in the basement during a thunderstorm or seek shelter in an inside room, such as the bathroom. Attempts to block out the noise may be attempted by turning up the volume of the television or stereo. Closing the curtains or blinds may be done in an attempt to block out the brilliant flashes of light. Since a person with this fear would not want to get caught out in a thunderstorm, an astraphobiac may also be obsessed with checking the weather forecast.

Shannon has been afraid of fierce storms since she was a little girl. On vacation with her parents, she became separated from them while hiking up to the bridge at Natural Bridge. Before she was reunited with her parents, the sky grew dark and a fierce storm developed. Caught out in the open, she watched the fierce lightning strike the trees around her and cause them to fall as the thunder boomed. Her only comfort was the stuffed animal she kept with her at all times. Now an adult, she has made plans to go camping with her friends. She has been assured by the forecasts that absolutely no storms are possible. But the weather forecasters get it wrong sometimes. The first night out is clear and beautiful. The second evening, though, is not so calm. As the winds pick up and the rain begins to come down gently, Shannon is ready to run for home, but something prevents her from leaving. What prevents her from going and how does she handle being stuck out once again in a fierce storm?

You can use the above story line and adapt it to just about any weather phobia mentioned in this article. Or you can make up one of your own. The most important thing is for you to have fun with it and practice your writing.