rain bomb
Explosive precipitation event
A rain bomb is an intense, localized downpour caused by a microburst—a column of sinking air that hits the ground and spreads outward, releasing massive amounts of rain in minutes.
The term emphasizes the sudden, violent nature of the event: The rain bomb flooded streets in under ten minutes.
Meteorologists prefer microburst, but rain bomb has gained currency in weather reporting and social media for its vivid imagery.
Rapid overflow from storms
- road washoutStorm damage destroying roadway
- inundationOverwhelming surge of water
- waterloggingSoil oversaturated with moisture
- runoffExcess water drainage
basement flooding · storm drain · floodwater · water rescue · flood warning · debris flow · erosion
Violent weather with lightning
- supercellRotating severe thunderstorm
- severe weatherDangerous atmospheric phenomena
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
- outflow boundaryCold air surge boundary
thunder · lightning · storm cell · summer storm · tempest · derecho · mesocyclone · storm chaser
Localized descending air blast
- cloudburstSudden heavy localized rainfall
- downburstSudden descending windstorm
- atmospheric riverConcentrated aerial water vapor flow
- weather radarPrecipitation locating instrument
virga · mammatus · cumulonimbus · water column · plume
Severe overflow of water
- torrentViolent rushing flow
- drenchingMaking thoroughly wet
- soakingCompletely saturated with liquid
- poundingForceful repeated striking
battering · overwhelming · sudden onset · zero visibility · power outage · property damage
Planetary atmospheric transformation
- intensificationIncrease in degree
- weather patternsRecurring atmospheric conditions
- unprecedentedNever having occurred before
- moisture contentWater present in substance
flash flood
Rapid overflow from storms
- road washoutStorm damage destroying roadway
- inundationOverwhelming surge of water
- waterloggingSoil oversaturated with moisture
runoff · basement flooding · storm drain · floodwater · water rescue · flood warning · debris flow · erosion
thunderstorm
Violent weather with lightning
- supercellRotating severe thunderstorm
- severe weatherDangerous atmospheric phenomena
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
outflow boundary · thunder · lightning · storm cell · summer storm · tempest · derecho · mesocyclone · storm chaser
microburst
Localized descending air blast
- cloudburstSudden heavy localized rainfall
- downburstSudden descending windstorm
- atmospheric riverConcentrated aerial water vapor flow
weather radar · virga · mammatus · cumulonimbus · water column · plume
deluge
Severe overflow of water
pounding · battering · overwhelming · sudden onset · zero visibility · power outage · property damage
climate change
Planetary atmospheric transformation
- intensificationIncrease in degree
- weather patternsRecurring atmospheric conditions
- unprecedentedNever having occurred before
- stormsstorm, thunderstorm, hurricane, tornado, typhoon