When most of us think about the weather on other planets, we imagine extreme conditions—boiling acid rain, methane snow, or violent winds sweeping across barren landscapes. Yet, recent space missions and planetary research have uncovered a surprising truth: the weather on planets throughout our solar system, and even beyond, often mirrors what we experience here on Earth.

From seasonal changes and jet streams to dust storms and cloud formations, the dynamics of planetary weather systems follow remarkably similar physical principles across the cosmos.

Shared Principles Across the Cosmos

At its core, weather is driven by energy—usually from a star, such as the Sun—interacting with the atmosphere of a planet. Variations in temperature, pressure, and rotation cause the movement of air, the formation of clouds, and the development of storms. These fundamental principles are universal, regardless of whether the planet is Earth, Mars, or a distant gas giant orbiting a far-off star. While conditions vary greatly, the underlying physics remain the same.

According to Washington Post, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn each exhibit unique weather patterns, but the forces behind these phenomena are governed by the same physical laws we see at work on our own planet. Even distant exoplanets, although challenging to observe directly, offer clues that suggest similar atmospheric dynamics are at play.

A World of Dust Storms and Seasonal Shifts

Mars, our red neighbor, provides one of the clearest examples of Earth-like weather in the solar system. Despite its atmosphere being only 1% the thickness of Earth’s, Mars experiences winds, clouds, and seasonal variations. The planet’s axial tilt of approximately 25 degrees causes it to experience seasons similar to Earth. During the Martian summer, temperatures at the equator can rise to a pleasant 20°C (68°F), although the nighttime temperature can plummet well below freezing.

One of the most notable weather phenomena on Mars is its global dust storms, which can start as small whirlwinds and grow to engulf the entire planet, lasting for weeks at a time. NASA’s rovers have captured stunning images of dust devils—small tornado-like vortices—that resemble those observed in Earth’s deserts.

A Fiery World with Earth-like Features

Often referred to as Earth’s “evil twin” due to its similar size and structure, Venus presents an entirely different set of conditions—yet still shares some common atmospheric traits. The planet’s dense, toxic atmosphere, composed mostly of carbon dioxide, is laced with clouds of sulfuric acid. Surface temperatures soar beyond 460°C (860°F), hot enough to melt lead, and the pressure is immense.

Despite these extreme conditions, Venus exhibits surprisingly Earth-like weather phenomena. The planet features jet streams—high-speed winds circulating in its upper atmosphere—that are similar to those on Earth, albeit moving much faster than Venus’s rotation. In fact, Venus’s upper clouds shift in large bands, akin to the jet streams that influence weather patterns on Earth.

Venus also experiences lightning in its sulfuric acid clouds, further linking its weather system to those on Earth. Recent investigations by Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft have uncovered complex atmospheric dynamics, including convection and cloud development, that bear a striking resemblance to Earth’s weather patterns.

Gas Giants: Jovian and Saturnian Storms

Jupiter and Saturn, the gas giants of our solar system, are home to some of the most extreme weather phenomena, yet these too follow the same physical principles that govern weather on Earth. Though they lack solid surfaces, the dense atmospheres of these planets contain massive storms, some of which have lasted for centuries.

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, a storm larger than Earth itself, has been raging for at least 350 years. This storm, much like a hurricane, revolves around a center of low pressure, reflecting the dynamics of Earth’s tropical cyclones. Similarly, Saturn experiences powerful storms, equatorial winds, and seasonal atmospheric changes. The planet’s distinctive hexagonal-shaped storm at its North Pole is a geometric anomaly, but still governed by the same fluid dynamics that Earth scientists understand.

Both Jupiter and Saturn experience lightning, auroras, and atmospheric waves, all phenomena that connect their weather systems to those of Earth. These large-scale weather systems highlight the similarities in atmospheric behavior between distant planets and our own world.