How come I can occasionally smell rain before it arrives?

Question

I don't know of many other people that can.

My friend is able too, and we speculating as to why there is an odour. The first assumption is that it is water evaporated from the sea, that retains a slight salty/marine smell, The second [most likely] assumption that we thought of is that since the temperature is cooling the heat dissipated from the Asphalt/Chip-seal roads is given off as an odour.

We are unsure as to why certain people can smell it, (we are both from New Zealand) and how Americans friends think we are odd when we say “Smells like rain”, because they are unable to smell it. We think that it may be because of the different environments, be live in a relatively small town, were our American friends have come from a city, although that doesn’t quite explain as to why some people can smell it, although my friend and I do have Asthma.

Answer 1

I can smell rain too. Must be because of humidity. Or other things besides that... But I really think it's the humidity before rain begins to pour.

Answer 2

Nothing can make you, or your friend, smell rain because there are so many meteorological reasons for rain to happen. However, you may be sensitive to a special weather condition that also brings rain. I certainly don't doubt of your ability to 'smell rain' but you should try to explore it more. Try to register (a good hobby to share with your friend) what the atmospheric pressure is, temperature, visibility, types of clouds, wind direction, etc. when you can smell rain.
In Europe, we say that you can forecast a thunderstorm if swallows are flying low. I think it has something to do with insects flying low at that time. Mind you, the sudden low pressure associated with a thunderstorm is also felt by many people who suffer e.g. from rheumatism.

Answer 3

A lot of people can smell rain. Just some people can smell it more. Why ? I have no idea.

Answer 4

YOU ARE SMELLING THE HUMIDITY. BEFORE A GOOD RAIN STORM IT GETS REALLY HUMID OUTSIDE. ALSO YOU CAN ALSO SMELL IT WHEN THE STROM IS REALLY CLOSE. YOU MUST HAVE A PRETTY GOOD SENSE OF SMELL