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{{magic
|image=The Highstorm by Sakina Minnis.jpg
A '''highstorm''' is a fierce weather system on the planet of [[Roshar]]. They occur once every few days, or at command of the [[Stormfather]], and move from stormward to leeward from the [[Origin]].{{book ref|twok|12}} East of Roshar, the highstorms are incredibly destructive. They progress across the continent, though they weaken gradually as they cross, and are mostly broken by the mountains east of [[Shinovar]].{{book ref|twok|i|4}}▼
|related=[[Honor]]
|type=Weather phenomenon
|world=Roshar
|universe=Cosmere
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
▲A '''highstorm''' is a fierce weather system on the planet of [[Roshar]]. They occur once every few days, or at the command of
== Description ==
[[File:Highstorm by Noah Bradley.jpg|thumb|left|250px|<small>By [[Coppermind:Artists/Noah Bradley |Noah Bradley]]</small> The stormwall]]
A highstorm has three general stages. The leading edge, or stormwall, is the most dangerous part of the storm. Immensely powerful winds generate a wall of dust, water, and larger debris.{{book ref|twok|34}} It is shown that it is powerful enough to carry large trees long distances into the [[Shattered Plains]].{{book ref|sa2|69}} The main body of the highstorm carries less debris, although the winds are still strong enough to hurl boulders. The trailing edge of the storm, known as the riddens, consists of light rains mixed with relatively mild gusts of wind. {{book ref|twok|35}} The [[Purelake]] experiences less intense highstorms.{{book ref|twok|i|1}}
== Ecology ==
[[File:Eshonai by Casey Fallon.jpg|thumb|right|300px|<small>By [[Coppermind:Artists/Casey Fallon |Casey Fallon]]</small> A [[singer]] transforming in a highstorm]]
Highstorms are the single most important force in Roshar's ecology, and life on the planet has adapted to them. Some plants, like lavis polyps, enclose themselves against the highstorm's fury; others retract or fold their relatively fragile leaves, vines, or roots away. Many plants have outer coverings infused with highstorm [[crem]], forming protective shells.{{wob ref|169}}
Rosharan fauna has adapted as well; many species like [[axehound]]s, [[whitespine]]s, and [[
For Roshar's native sentient species, the [[singer]]s, highstorms are crucial part of their life cycle. Entering a highstorm allows them to bond a spren, changing their body into one of the dozens of specialized forms. In the past, this was done simply by entering the storm with a specific mindset; in the current day, the singers trap a spren in a gemstone beforehand and await the storm with it at the ready.{{book ref|sa2|i|5}}
Another effect of a highstorm
== Cultural Significance ==
People on Roshar live in cities and settlements that are protected from highstorms by natural or manmade structures. [[Kholinar]] has its windblades{{book ref|twok|60}}—large stone formations that divert the highstorm's force— and [[Sesemalex Dar]] has troughs that prevent the city from flooding.{{book ref|twok|55}} These structures are often city-wide and become an integral part of the city's culture.
Humans depend on highstorms not just for water, but also for the [[Stormlight]] that they use in their [[
Other aspects of civilization are also affected by the highstorms. For example, sanitation regulations have been developed to prevent the trash of one town from being blown by the strong winds towards the next town. These regulations, however, do not apply on the [[Shattered Plains]] due to its isolated location, and so the refuse and litter of the [[Alethi]] warcamps there are piled high to be carried away during each highstorm.{{book ref|sa2|49}}
== Magic ==
[[File:Abovethestorm.png|thumb|left|250px|<small>By [[Coppermind:Artists/Ashley Coad|Ashley Coad]]</small> [[Kaladin]] floating over a highstorm]]
Highstorms are highly [[Investiture|Invested]],{{book ref|sa2|I|6}} and are the primary source of Investiture on Roshar. Gemstones are infused with [[Stormlight]] when left outside during a highstorm.{{book ref|sa1|11}} This magical source of illumination and power is used to Invest [[fabrial]]s and fuel [[Surgebinding]]. Surgebinders can also gain Stormlight directly from a highstorm, without the gemstones to serve as the intermediary.{{book ref|sa2|86}} The strength of the storm is not tied directly to the amount of Stormlight Invested into gemstones.{{wob ref|11482}}
▲Another effect of a highstorm's Investiture is the [[crem]] in the storm water. This substance is deposited onto the land, accumulating over the millennia, even prior to the [[Shattering]],{{wob ref|8491}} It is currently unknown where crem comes from, but it partly contains minerals that are useful for plant life.
Several types of [[spren]] are associated with highstorms, most notably the [[Stormfather]]
Because of the strong winds, [[windspren]] are especially numerous during storms. [[Rainspren]] sometimes appear during the light rains of the riddens. More recently, [[stormspren]] have also started appearing.{{book ref|sa2|I|6}}
There have been sightings of gigantic glowing spren
On the [[Cognitive Realm]], sapient spren appear to act more energetically during highstorms, and it has been speculated that they get their sustenance from it.{{book ref|sa3|101}}
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