Petrichor: why does rain smell so good?

Petrichor: why does rain smell so good

Yes, it can be nice when we've had no rain. At this point though, I think all I smell is the damp. We have had an amazing amount of rain, often rain so hard it becomes deafening and when driving, it's best to pull off.

It turns out it's not just gratitude that makes rain smell so appealing after a long period of dry weather.

There's actually some chemistry involved too.

Bacteria, plants and even lightning can all play a role in the pleasant smell we experience after a thunderstorm; that of clean air and wet earth.

Known as petrichor, the scent has long been chased by scientists and even perfumers for its enduring appeal.