downpour

Downpour is a term used to describe a heavy and sudden rainfall event that lasts for a relatively short period. It is typically associated with convective weather, such as thunderstorm cells, and can occur when warm, moist air rises rapidly, producing intense precipitation. Downpours are often localized and may bring high rainfall rates over minutes, leading to rapid accumulation and potential surface flooding. They can be accompanied by thunder, lightning, gusty winds, and reduced visibility.

Measurement and classification vary by region, but meteorologists describe a downpour by rainfall rate or by total rainfall over a given interval. The term is often used interchangeably with heavy rain or cloudburst, though cloudburst commonly denotes a particularly intense, brief downpour. Many downpours are short lived, yet some persist for longer periods depending on storm structure and moisture supply.

Impact and distribution: Downpours occur in tropical and subtropical regions and during the warm season of temperate zones, as well as in association with weather fronts or tropical cyclones. They can disrupt travel, create water pooling on roads, and, in urban areas, contribute to flash floods. Agriculturally, downpours can affect crops differently depending on timing and accompanying hazards such as hail or strong winds.

See also: Shower, Cloudburst, Thunderstorm, Flash flood.