rain

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

Images & Videos

How do clouds float?

What is cloud seeding and can it be used to fight climate change?

thunderstorm: rain and lightning

Distribution of peoples and annual rainfall in the Guinea Coast region. The northern boundary of the 500-mm isohyet (a line on a map connecting points experiencing the same rainfall amount) approximates the maximum advance of the West African summer monsoon.

Global distribution of mean annual rainfall (in centimetres).

Graph of monsoon rainfall in India, 1871–1981. Annual rainfall amounts are depicted as percentages departing from the 110-year average. The red line superimposed on the graph suggests a recurring trend over this time period.

How does desert dust from the Sahara affect global climate?

See how water transforms between liquid, ice, and vapour in the water cycle

Discover

King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)

9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes

illustration of the walking titanosaurus, Patagotitan mayorum

Titanosaurs: 8 of the World's Biggest Dinosaurs

Hemp (Cannabis sativa).

9 Mind-Altering Plants

Entrants falling and tumbling over while chasing the cheese at the 2016 'Cheese Rolling' held at Cooper's Hill, in the Cotswolds, Brockworth England

7 of the World’s Most Dangerous Festivals

Rural Irish landscape, Sligo, Ireland.

Why Is Ireland Two Countries?

Battle of the Alamo from "Texas: An Epitome of Texas History from the Filibustering and Revolutionary Eras to the Independence of the Republic, 1897. Texas Revolution, Texas revolt, Texas independence, Texas history.

6 Wars of Independence

Small, white rat (genus Rattus) on a glass table. (rodent, laboratory, experiment)

Cruel and Unusual Punishments: 15 Types of Torture

rain: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm warning for three states • Apr. 19, 2025, 6:03 PM ET (The Star)

Rain helps Rhine shipping but river level still too low • Apr. 15, 2025, 2:46 AM ET (Reuters)

UK weather: Rain warning issued with April showers in the Easter forecast • Apr. 14, 2025, 3:46 AM ET (BBC)

MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm, heavy rain warning for nine states • Apr. 10, 2025, 12:04 AM ET (The Star)

Thunderstorm, heavy rain warning for nine states until 9pm, says MetMalaysia • Apr. 4, 2025, 4:53 AM ET (The Star)

Photos and Videos

thunderstorm: rain and lightning

Distribution of peoples and annual rainfall in the Guinea Coast region. The northern boundary of the 500-mm isohyet (a line on a map connecting points experiencing the same rainfall amount) approximates the maximum advance of the West African summer monsoon.

Global distribution of mean annual rainfall (in centimetres).

Graph of monsoon rainfall in India, 1871–1981. Annual rainfall amounts are depicted as percentages departing from the 110-year average. The red line superimposed on the graph suggests a recurring trend over this time period.

How do clouds float?

What is cloud seeding and can it be used to fight climate change?

How does desert dust from the Sahara affect global climate?

See how water transforms between liquid, ice, and vapour in the water cycle

Explore how interactions between the water cycle and landforms affect climate and weather

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Does It Rain on Other Planets?What Causes Acid Rain?cloudburst drizzle shower freezing rain raindrop What Causes a Rainbow?Scotch mist acid rain snow hail orographic precipitation sleet fog drip fog cloud aerosol rime glaze

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

John Dalton

John Dalton

British scientist

Quiz

Iceland, Glacier lagoon (Jokulsarlon)

Winter Weather Words Quiz

Umbrella colored like a rainbow sticking out above a sea of black umbrellas while it rains. (storm, weather)

Weather Words Vocabulary Quiz

Thunderstorm cumulonimbus clouds above Montana. weather storm thunderstorm atmospheric disturbance cumulonimbus clouds thunder and lightning Homepage blog 2011, science and technology

Clouds and Cloud Types

rain. Child in the rain, wearing a rain coat, under a yellow umbrella. April Showers weather climate rain storm water drops

April Showers to March’s Lions and Lambs

Lightning over a farm field. Weather electricity thunderstorm light energy tree

Facts You Should Know: Weather Quiz

rain. Child in the rain, wearing a rain coat, under a yellow umbrella. April Showers weather climate rain storm water drops

April Showers to March’s Lions and Lambs