A sudden, heavy fall of rain, typically from a cumulonimbus cloud. Common in tropical afternoons during monsoon season.
basicWhat is Downpour?
Tropical downpours can produce rainfall rates exceeding 50-100 mm per hour in extreme cases. They are typically short-lived (20-60 minutes) because the cumulonimbus cell exhausts its moisture supply. The sound of heavy rain on a tin roof is one of the signature sounds of Southeast Asian monsoon life. Despite their intensity, downpours can be highly localised — one neighbourhood may receive heavy rain while an area 2 km away stays dry.
Key points
- A sudden, heavy fall of rain, typically from a cumulonimbus cloud. Common in tropical afternoons during monsoon season.
- Category: basic
Related terms
See also: downpour is connected to other weather concepts. Browse the full glossary for related definitions.