12 Viral Weather Moments from the Early Internet That You Definitely Forgot About
From bizarre blizzards to fiery funnel clouds, these unforgettable weather moments from the early internet became viral, sparking global fascination, humor, and awe in the digital age.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
During the early years of the internet, catastrophic weather events were bringing the world’s attention in unprecedented ways, creating viral moments that were equal parts awe-inspiring, funny, and shocking. From unusual blizzards and blazing tornadoes to weather memes and blooper reels, these events traveled across forums, social media, and news websites, making weather forecasts global phenomena. With weather being a collective experience on the web, these internet moments of fame influenced how we interact with and understand the elements in the era of the web.
1. The Blizzard of ‘96 – “The Weather Channel’s Snowpocalypse”
Image from AccuWeather
January 1996 saw a giant blizzard blanket the Eastern U.S., and The Weather Channel’s coverage reached legendary status as it was live-streamed for the first time online. When people tuned in for updates, a live broadcast from a reporter fighting against the snowstorm received viral attention with viewers posting messages on the senseless scene unfolding before them. It was one of the first instances that demonstrated how weather phenomena could be magnified and disseminated via the emerging internet.
2. The “Dancing Weatherman” (1997)
Image from Meteorologist Robb Ellis
Robb Ellis, a local weather forecaster in Illinois, was an overnight internet hit after his on-air blooper reel clip captured him dancing exuberantly on air. The clip went viral, and the eccentric act was captioned “Dancing Weatherman,” which brought some humor to the typically dull weather report. This was a harbinger of the popularity of offbeat, viral web videos.
3. The “Funnel Cloud Catches on Fire” Incident (1999)
Image from Yahoo
A one-time tornado developing near a fire in Oklahoma became viral for the spooky and burning images it produced. The photos of a funnel cloud appearing to be on fire stimulated intrigue and horror, making it a sensational topic of online conversation. It was among the first times that weather events were transmitted immediately across the world, fueling interest in extreme weather.
4. The Great Australian Dust Storm (2009)
Image from Wikipedia
In 2009, Australia was struck by an enormous dust storm that shrouded Sydney, causing the sun to appear blood red and the city to be blanketed in a spooky orange mist. Images and videos of the otherworldly scene blanketed the internet, with millions posting the stunningly bizarre pictures. This incident proved how spectacular yet terrifying weather phenomena could quickly become viral through social media.
5. “The Cloud That Ate New York” (2002)
Image from Big Frog 104
A bizarre weather occurrence in 2002 covered the New York City skyline in a giant, puffy cloud, which generated a whirlwind of memes and viral images on the internet. Folks captioned the city being consumed by the “cloud monster,” and the picture propagated across message boards and early photography-sharing websites. It was an innocent demonstration of how even bizarre, benign weather could garner internet attention.
6. The “2003 Heat Dome” Over North America
Image from World Meteorological Organization WMO
The 2003 heatwave over most of North America triggered viral reports online of scorching temperatures over 100°F in cities such as Chicago and New York. The heat wave produced health issues and power failures but also spawned infinite memes of people struggling to deal with the heat. This was one of the first times heatwaves had been discussed in such a popular, joking online format.
7. The “Snowpocalypse” in Washington, D.C. (2010)
Image from The Washington Post
The 2010 February blizzard, which covered Washington, D.C., and much of the U.S., was referred to by the media as the “Snowpocalypse” and became viral with online photos of snow-covered cars and people stranded in their houses. The hashtag #snowpocalypse was one of the first viral social media phenomena tied to the weather. Users posted memes, photos, and even videos of snowball battles as they took in the weird but lovely blizzard.
8. The “Dew Point” Meme (2007)
Image from CartoonStock
An offbeat weather graphic depicting a “dew point” reaching an outrageously high figure went viral as a meme in 2007 on forums and blogs. The picture playfully hyped the impact of high humidity on weather predictions, generating mirthful observations online. It was a lead-up to more lighthearted weather-related content spreading on early social media sites.
9. The Hurricane Katrina “Cake” Meme (2005)
Image from Wikipedia
Following Hurricane Katrina, a meme that went viral on the internet featured a cake shaped like a hurricane with the text “Hurricane Katrina” inscribed on it. The meme ridiculed the storm’s name, generating online debate around the point at which tragedy and humor intersect. Controversial as it was, it was an early indication of how internet society and weather phenomena in the real world crossed paths.
10. “The Storm of the Century” (1993)
Image from Wikipedia
In March 1993, a massive winter storm struck the eastern U.S. called “The Storm of the Century.” The rapid intensification and ferocity of the storm prompted heated online forums and news coverage, one of the first big weather events to go viral on early internet media such as AOL and Usenet. Individuals posted videos of snowstorms and disseminated forecast images as they followed the storm live.
11. The “Green Flash” Phenomenon (2003)
Image from Sky & Telescope
The phenomenon of a “green flash,” a rare atmospheric event in which the sun flashes green for a moment at sunset, went viral in 2003 when multiple incredible videos surfaced online. This optical illusion was particularly fawned upon in coastal areas, with thousands reliving their experiences of catching the fleeting moment. Weather forums early were abuzz with curiosity as audiences from across the globe recorded the enchanting spectacle on camera.
12. The “2004 Tsunami Weather Forecast” Fiasco
Image from NOAA Center for Tsunami Research
Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, a weather forecaster’s gaffe concerning an oncoming tsunami in Hawaii went viral. His clumsy and inaccurate forecasts were disseminated across forums, where individuals jokingly ridiculed the confusion that erupted from the unexpected declaration. The incident was among the first occasions weather forecasts caused widespread online ridicule, demonstrating how online platforms could fan such blunders.