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Weather is more than just rain, sun, or snow. Sometimes, the atmosphere behaves in ways that look like scenes from a science fiction movie. Here are five of the strangest weather phenomena ever recorded on Earth.

• The Everlasting Storm: In Venezuela, over the mouth of the Catatumbo River, there is a storm that occurs up to 160 nights a year. It can last for 10 hours at a time and produces thousands of lightning strikes per hour, earning it the nickname the everlasting lightning storm.
• Fire Whirls: Also known as fire devils or fire tornadoes, these happen when intense heat from a wildfire meets turbulent wind conditions. This creates a spinning vortex of flame that can suck up debris and ash, making it one of the most dangerous sights in nature.
• Red Rain: Residents of Kerala, India, were shocked in 2001 when a heavy red rain fell from the sky, staining clothes and buildings. Scientists eventually discovered the color was caused by airborne spores from a local type of algae that had been swept up into the clouds.
• Blood Snow: In parts of Antarctica and high mountain ranges, you might see snow that looks like it has been stained red. This is actually caused by Chlamydomonas nivalis, a type of algae that thrives in freezing water and produces a red pigment to protect itself from the sun.
• Ball Lightning: This is one of the most mysterious weather events. It appears as a glowing, spherical object that can vary in size from a golf ball to a several meters in diameter. It usually occurs during thunderstorms, lasts for several seconds, and has even been reported to float through closed windows.