Storms on other planets may look familiar, but their inner workings are still largely unknown. Scientists have been using Earth-based weather and climate models to study atmospheric processes on Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn’s moon Titan.
These models draw on familiar physics equations known on Earth, with tweaks for gravity, rotational speed, or atmospheric pressure. By adapting Earth-based models, scientists can get a head start on understanding the complex dynamics of storms on other planets.
On Jupiter, researchers used ocean physics to analyze swirling clouds near the planet’s pole. They found that laws of physics governing turbulent fluids are the same on Jupiter as they are on Earth, even though the vortex is 10 times larger. This led to the discovery of “polar vortex crystals,” a symmetrical pattern of cyclones near the poles.
Dust storms on Mars operate similarly to hurricanes on Earth, but scientists still don’t know how to predict them. Martian dust storms form when wind lifts dust and creates rotating air masses. By studying circulation patterns on Earth and applying those models to Mars, researchers can simulate conditions that lead to dust storms.
On Titan, methane rain clouds form through a similar process as water vapor does on Earth. Scientists have modeled the cloud-making process using the same underlying physics, producing reasonably close results to observed clouds.
These studies demonstrate how Earth-based weather models can help us understand atmospheric processes on other planets. By applying familiar physics and adapting for differences in gravity and rotation, scientists can gain valuable insights into the mysteries of our solar system’s most extreme storms.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025/06/21/planets-weather-storms-earth-similarities-models