Do fish actually fall from the sky?

When investigating weather phenomena, it's useful to begin by assuming that even the most bizarre reports might be grounded in truth. Although it may be challenging to believe in things like St. Elmo's fire or red rains, they are real. Lightning balls, blue moons, and even pigs flying also exist [source: Thompson].

Let's take a step back, because saying pigs can fly isn't entirely accurate. Unless, of course, they get swept up by a tornado-like vortex that launches them into the air. In this case, we could argue that the flying pigs are a product of a weather phenomenon. Similarly, we can confidently state that fish do indeed fall from the sky. Scientists have suggested that waterspouts—vortexes that form over water—could lift fish or frogs and deposit them on land when the spout reaches shore and disperses [source: Library of Congress].

The numerous reports of tadpoles, fish, or frogs 'falling' from the sky in places such as Australia, Japan, and the United States can be explained by certain weather phenomena. However, let’s pause and think about why these incidents always involve only one type of animal. Why hasn’t anyone actually seen a waterspout causing this, if the theory holds true [source: Wilkins]? Perhaps it’s because of the similar size and shape of these species; frogs and fish, for example, might land in the same spot due to their comparable weight [source: Library of Congress].

Still not convinced? Fair enough. It’s important to remember that when we spot dead fish on the ground, our first reaction is often to look up. But perhaps we should be looking down instead. It’s possible that rather than witnessing fish fall from the sky, people may be seeing the carcasses of fish or amphibians that have been pushed up—through sewer systems or underground rivers—during intense storms [source: Wilkins].

Flying fish, frogs, or pigs may seem alarming, but we should be thankful that we don’t have to experience what a German artist portrayed in 1680: a disturbing scene where rats fall from the sky onto a presumably very distressed man during a particularly intense rainstorm [source: Francisci]. Honestly, I’d gladly take a shower of trout over that any day.