Feline Meteorologists
When cats sense severe weather approaching, they may act in various ways. Some of those behaviors may seem strange, but those behaviors have been observed for centuries. 18th-century sailors looked to cats on their ships for weather predictions. Some thought cats were actually causing storms through "magic" stored in their tails. While cats' reactions to severe weather were once thought to be supernatural, modern science now shows otherwise.
Biometeorology is a growing scientific field which studies how weather, especially changing weather, impacts the behavior of animals and people. We now know our feline friends are able to perceive shifts in air pressure and many experts believe it is this change in barometric pressure that our cats react to before a storm hits. Because cats are natural predators with incredibly keen senses that allow them to be finely tuned into their environment, it shouldn't be surprising that they can easily sense these shifts in pressure. Usually their first instinct and survival tactic is often to flee or hide in the safest place they can find.
I would encourage all pet owners to plan ahead and decide where you will take your cats and any other pets when weather or other type of an emergency occurs. Since our feline family members are so super sensitive and can pick up on our emotions, staying calm will have a pawsitive effect on your cats in stressful situations.