Top weather phobias explored: Millions of Americans experience these weather fears

By Bianca Barr Tunno, AccuWeather Staff Writer

October 26,2016; 9:50PM,EDT

 

(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

As thunder rolls and lightning sparks the sky, some might find themselves in a state of panic. If the weather forecast calls for snow and ice, would you rush to buy bread and milk, then hunker down at home? When a tropical storm or hurricane is barreling toward your community, there may be no choice but to seek shelter or leave the area entirely.
And if you are afraid of weather events, your behaviors and choices during those times of emergency are often motivated by an instinctive process.
"If you perceive something that you believe is threatening, whether or not it is or isn't, you have a natural response to that perception," said Dr. Michelle Newman, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology and psychiatry at Penn State University. "Your body produces arousal - adrenaline - which is adaptive for humans in situations of ‘fight or flight.' You will engage behaviors that will protect you and keep you safe."

<section><h2>TOP WEATHER PHOBIAS</h2><p><div>Approximately one in 10 Americans may suffer from some degree of severe weather fear, according to the American Meteorological Society Journal. As Halloween approaches, we explore some of the top weather fears. </div></p></section><section><h2>Ancraophobia: Fear of wind</h2><p><div>An ancraophobe would not be able to do what this woman in Taiwan is doing - she's trying to eat a snack while she struggles with her umbrella against powerful gusts of wind generated by Typhoon Megi in September of 2016. Ancraophobia is not a commonly recognized fear but it can keep a person from living a normal life and may get worse as time passes. Those afraid of wind may avoid open windows. The outdoors or changing weather can be frightening to individuals who suffer from ancraophobia.</div></p></section><section><h3>Antlophobia: Fear of floods</h3><p><div>The potential for flooding is often predicted ahead of time, which may give those in the floodplain a chance to move to higher ground. However, if you suffer from antlophobia, even a forecast of heavy rain may scare you enough to take shelter. Extreme cases of antlophobia sometimes result in the person moving to a dry region, such as a desert, where there is little chance of flooding.</div></p></section><section><h3>Astraphobia: Fear of thunderstorms</h3><p><div>It might be frightening to see lightning, even if you are safe indoors. This treatable phobia can manifest in humans and animals. People with this fear may seek out reassurance from others or have a focused interest in weather forecasts. Dogs in particular may experience astraphobia and often need an involved and caring owner to deal with each passing storm. </div></p></section><section><h3>Chinophobia: Fear of snow</h3><p><div>People with this fear are often concerned they may become trapped in the snow and could choose not to drive as a result. In this case, driving was not an immediate option anyway for a family in Parkville, Maryland, in January of 2016. Many times, this phobia is related to a traumatic experience involving snow from the past.</div></p></section><section><h3>Chinophobia: Fear of snow</h3><p><div>Chionophobes also might refuse to go outside. But experts say it's important to recognize snow as a natural occurrence that impacts people and animals all over the world.</div></p></section><section><h3>Cryophobia: Fear of cold</h3><p><div>Every January, Russian Orthodox believers bathe in the icy water on Epiphany in the Neva River in St. Petersburg, Russia. Those with cryophobia would most likely avoid this annual event, as well as keep thermostats high in their home. This fear has some basis because of the life-threatening nature of extreme cold. </div></p></section><section><h3>Heliophobia: Fear of sun</h3><p><div>From sunrise to sunset, a subset of society is afraid of the sun. Not many people talk about this phobia but researchers say it is a common fear. Sometimes, people with sensitive eyes or delicate skin fear the sun's rays. In severe cases, heliophobes may choose to function only at night.</div></p></section><section><h3>Homichlophobia: Fear of fog</h3><p><div>While the appearance of fog clinging to the mossy cliffs may be enchanting to some, others may be haunted by the haze. </div></p></section><section><h3>Lilapsophobia: Fear of severe weather like tornadoes, hurricanes</h3><p><div>This aerial view of a street in southwestern Haiti shows the damage and destruction of Hurricane Matthew of 2016. Emotional distress associated with this recent weather event might lead a person to lilapsophobia and a range of anxiety-induced behaviors.</div></p></section><section><h3>Lilapsophobia: Fear of severe weather like tornadoes, hurricanes</h3><p><div>Experts say those who fear severe weather can try to calm themselves by keeping tabs on the changing forecasts and having a plan when a serious weather event is headed their way. This image was taken on St. Simons Island, Georgia, in 2016 after residents were ordered to leave the area.</div></p></section><section><h3>Lilapsophobia: Fear of severe weather like tornadoes, hurricanes</h3><p><div>People with lilapsophobia often make sure they are not in the path of destruction and that they are in a safe place. But the sounds of wind or flying debris can aggravate the fear. Twisters can be unpredictable, causing some people to experience anxiety and panic. </div></p></section><section><h3>Nephophobia: Fear of clouds</h3><p><div>Clouds have been known to inspire daydreamers. Others with nephophobia may find clouds menacing, obscuring one's view and offering a sign of impending storms. Even a cloud photo, like this one from Germany, can trigger a fear reaction. </div></p></section><section><h3>Nyctophobia: Fear of night</h3><p><div>Children aren't the only ones who might become afraid of the dark. Some adults fear nighttime because of the unknown or because they can't see. Experts say this might be perpetuated by a traumatic life experience and can have dramatic effect on how you live your life.  </div></p></section><section><h3>Ombrophobia: Fear of rain</h3><p><div>Rain can bring with it dark skies, thunder and lightning, landslides and a litany of other potential consequences. Ombrophobes may be afraid of a deluge or even a slight drizzle. </div></p></section><section><h3>Pagophobia: Fear of ice, frost</h3><p><div>Fear of ice and frost has a wide range of severity. From worrying about slipping to refusing to leave the house, pagophobic people deal with varying levels of emotional turmoil. Researchers say this phobia could manifest itself in people who move from a warmer climate to one where wintry conditions are overwhelming. But as this image shows, even places in Florida are not immune to cold air and ice.  </div></p></section><section><h3>Thermophobia: Fear of heat</h3><p><div>Thermophobia is often related to the damage that could happen from heat. A person with this fear may have difficulty in social situations because their apprehension could keep them inside for long periods of time. More than 100 people die each year on average due to in the U.S. according to the National Weather Service.  </div></p></section>

According to a 2014 study published in the American Meteorological Society Journal, approximately one in 10 Americans may suffer from some degree of severe weather fear. Researchers from Ball State University and the University of Kansas said study participants reported feelings of anxiety and helplessness, increased heart pounding and the need to change their schedules when faced with a severe weather event. The most common behavior surrounding these weather events was constant monitoring of television, radio, internet or weather applications, according to researchers. They interviewed almost 300 people in 43 states.
The study reported: "...When not debilitating, some fear can be a substantial motivator to encourage individuals to take action against the threat, such as seeking shelter."
And Newman, who specializes in anxiety disorders, agrees.
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"Trying to stay calm but acting in those cases is absolutely optimal," Newman told AccuWeather. "After the situation is over, don't avoid anything related to the experience: don't avoid talking about it and don't avoid hearing about other types of storms on the news because all of that avoidance feeds your fear."
So staying apprised of the situation is one way to calm a human mind. However, what about if a pet is in the mix? Rochelle Morrissey, a veterinarian in Oakland, California, told AccuWeather that dogs in particular deal with storm phobias and sometimes get downright terrified.
"Some dogs will just hide but other dogs will get into self-destructive behavior where they will start destroying the house or injure themselves trying to get out of the house," Morrissey said.
She said she's treated dogs that have broken off teeth trying to chew their way out of crates and others that have jumped through plate glass windows during thunderstorms.
Morrissey said pets may panic because they do not have the capacity to understand what is going on and pet owners have to create an action plan to keep their animals calm.
"Try to have distractions on if you know a storm is coming," she said. "Keep the TV on. Keep the radio on. Try to dissociate when a storm is coming. Associate with positive things. Have someone at home to pet them and give them treats."
And if those suggestions don't work, sometimes medication is coupled with training to help animals with anxiety.
"A lot of people don't always realize pets get anxiety the same way people do so you need to help them cope with it."