S01E03:…about the Weather | James May’s Things You Need to Know

Duration: 28'54''

Synopsis

James May asks the big questions about the weather, like why is the sky blue? What is a cloud? And how can you avoid being hit by lightning?

Further Information

More clips from James May's Things You Need to Know

An introduction to Dark Energy and Dark Matter | James May's Things You Need to Know

An introduction to Dark Energy and Dark Matter | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'38''

James May explains what elements our universe is made up of.

Dominant and recessive genes | James May's Things You Need to Know

Dominant and recessive genes | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 3'11''

James May explains DNA and dominant and recessive genes.

Evidence of the Big Bang | James May's Things You Need to Know

Evidence of the Big Bang | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'27''

James May explores the clues left in outer space that are proof of the Big Bang's occurrence.

How the sun creates energy | James May's Things You Need to Know

How the sun creates energy | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'19''

James May explains how stars work and the difference between fission and fusion.

Rods, cones & 3D vision | James May's Things You Need to Know

Rods, cones & 3D vision | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'05''

James May asks the big questions about his body. Why are we made like this? In this clip, he explores cones, ro...

S01E01:...about the Human Body | James May's Things You Need to Know

S01E01:...about the Human Body | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 28'58''

James May asks the big questions about his body. How did I get my granny's chin? Why do I catch colds? A...

S01E02:...about the Universe | James May's Things You Need to Know

S01E02:...about the Universe | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 28'58''

James May takes a journey of discovery across the universe, asking where it all began, how stars work, and...

Sperms race to the egg | James May's Things You Need to Know

Sperms race to the egg | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'27''

James May explains the human reproductive system and how sperm reaches the egg.

The death of a star | James May's Things You Need to Know

The death of a star | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'51''

James May explains how as a star dies, it gets brighter, hotter and smaller.

The formation of our Solar System | James May's Things You Need to Know

The formation of our Solar System | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'35''

James May explains how our solar system began as a solar nebula, a formation of clouds and dust.

What happens when you get a cold? | James May's Things You Need to Know

What happens when you get a cold? | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'06''

James May asks the big questions about his body. Why are we made like this? In this clip, he explains...

More resources about Weather and Climate

Climate Change: The Facts

Climate Change: The Facts

BBC One | 2019 | 57'33''

After one of the hottest years on record, Sir David Attenborough looks at the science of climate change and potential solutions to this global threat.

Britain's Wild Weather | Panorama

Britain's Wild Weather | Panorama

BBC One | 2020 | 58'03''

Justin Rowlatt visits communities around Britain battered by this year's extreme weather - unprecedented rainfall, sunshine and sustained h...

01: The Solomon Islands and Australia | Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline

01: The Solomon Islands and Australia | Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline

BBC Two | 2021 | 58'53''

Ade Adepitan sees the damage that climate change is causing, and finds out how we can fight it -...

02: Bangladesh and Bhutan | Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline

02: Bangladesh and Bhutan | Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline

BBC Two | 2021 | 59'10''

In Bangladesh and Bhutan, Ade Adepitan sees the damage that climate change is causing and finds out how we c...

2020 | Britain's Wildest Weather

2020 | Britain's Wildest Weather

Channel 4 | 2020 | 46'49''

Footage of the most extreme weather conditions in the UK over the past year, from the worst floods in a decade and a freak landslide in Fife...

01: Wind: The Invisible Force | Wild Weather with Richard Hammond

01: Wind: The Invisible Force | Wild Weather with Richard Hammond

BBC One | 2014 | 57'58''

Richard Hammond investigates how wind actually starts. He walks into the centre of a man-made tornado and v...

S08E06: Flooding | Bang Goes the Theory

S08E06: Flooding | Bang Goes the Theory

BBC One | 2014 | 29'01''

Did global warming play a part in the recent floods, or is it the extreme end of the natural cycle? Maggie Philbin investigates the t...

02: Atmosphere | Earth: The Power of the Planet

02: Atmosphere | Earth: The Power of the Planet

BBC Two | 2007 | 59'03''

Dr Iain Stewart reveals the natural forces that shaped the earth. He traces the history of the atmosphere, from the ozone lay...

02: Water: The Shape Shifter | Wild Weather with Richard Hammond

02: Water: The Shape Shifter | Wild Weather with Richard Hammond

BBC One | 2014 | 57'57''

Richard Hammond investigates the role water plays in the weather. He tries to weigh a cloud, finds out how r...

Wild Weather: Our World Under Threat | Panorama

Wild Weather: Our World Under Threat | Panorama

BBC One | 2021 | 58'11''

Justin Rowlatt reveals where in the world the climate is changing the fastest and who will be most affected.

Episode 1 | Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey

Episode 1 | Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey

BBC Two | 2012 | 58'23''

Kate Humble and Dr Helen Czerski follow the Earth's voyage around the sun for one complete orbit, travelling first from July...

The Day the Dinosaurs Died

The Day the Dinosaurs Died

BBC Two | 2017 | 58'13''

Ben Garrod and Alice Roberts investigate the greatest vanishing act in the history of our planet - the sudden disappearance of the dinosaurs 66 mi...

Typhoon Haiyan | Review

Typhoon Haiyan | Review

BBC News | 2013 | 2'07''

Features the chaos and suffering caused by Typhoon Haiyan.

03: Temperature: The Driving Force | Wild Weather with Richard Hammond

03: Temperature: The Driving Force | Wild Weather with Richard Hammond

BBC One | 2014 | 57'57''

Richard Hammond investigates the crucial role temperature plays in all weather. He builds a dust storm...

03: Scandinavia | Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline

03: Scandinavia | Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline

BBC Two | 2021 | 58'51''

In the final episode, Ade Adepitan heads to Scandinavia. As he travels across the region, he learns about winter tempe...

02: India and Pakistan | Life at 50°C

02: India and Pakistan | Life at 50°C

BBC Two | 2021 | 22'59''

Life at 50 Degrees is a BBC series which explores the impact of climate change on people across the globe. In episode two, we see how ...

Hurricane Melissa: The Storm That Hit Jamaica | BBC News

Hurricane Melissa: The Storm That Hit Jamaica | BBC News

BBC News | 2025 | 24'47''

One of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record made landfall in Jamaica with 185mph winds. Category 5 Hurrica...

Climate Change: What Can We Do? | Panorama

Climate Change: What Can We Do? | Panorama

BBC One | 2019 | 28'54''

To meet the government's emissions reductions targets, we'll need to make big changes to the way we live, travel and eat. But how ...

Coastal erosion | Panorama

Coastal erosion | Panorama

BBC One | 2020 | 4'27''

The erosion of the coastline and destruction of homes by storms.

Climate in the City | Wild Weather

Climate in the City | Wild Weather

BBC One | 2010 | 29'00''

Weatherman Peter Cockroft explores the highs and lows of London's unique climate. As he journeys around the capital he reveals why the out...

More from James May

Why Do Cats Have Nine Lives? | James May's Things You Need to Know

Why Do Cats Have Nine Lives? | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2012 | 2'45''

James May explains about speed, using a fast-moving mix of animation and graphics. Here he explores why te...

S01E01 | James May's Cars of the People

S01E01 | James May's Cars of the People

BBC Two | 2014 | 59'26''

James May discovers how cars became an everyday part of people's lives. His journey begins in Europe, where he reveals a tale of war,...

S01E06: Music | Dara O'Briain's Science Club

S01E06: Music | Dara O'Briain's Science Club

BBC HD | 2012 | 59'20''

Dara O Briain and his expert team examine the science behind music. James May explores how music is linked to our emotions and M...

Creating moulds | James May's Man Lab

Creating moulds | James May's Man Lab

BBC Two | 2011 | 10'50''

James re-forms some impractical kitchen items into the perfect lemon squeezer in his very own foundry.

06: Big City, Bright Lights | James May's 20th Century

06: Big City, Bright Lights | James May's 20th Century

BBC Two | 2007 | 28'35''

Each day 180,000 people move into a city somewhere on the planet. James May investigates how the high-rise urban livin...