rain cloud
Gray sky puffer
A rain cloud is a cloud producing or about to produce rain—typically dark, heavy, and low in the sky.
The term is informal rather than meteorological; weather scientists use names like nimbostratus or cumulonimbus.
Dark rain clouds gathered on the horizon.
Figuratively, a rain cloud suggests gloom or impending trouble: A rain cloud hung over the meeting.
Rain-bearing atmospheric formation
- lightningAtmospheric electrical discharge
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
- thunderstormViolent weather with lightning
downpour · deluge · monsoon · torrent · gale · electrical storm · thunder · rumbling
Expressing intent to harm
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- loomingAppearing threateningly close
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- darkeningGrowing less bright
menacing · portentous · brewing · impending · approaching · warning · harbinger · brooding
Subdued, lasting sadness
- drearyDull and depressing
- somberGravely serious in mood
- overcastSky fully veiled
- grayNeutral achromatic hue
brooding · gloom · dark mood · downcast · heavy-hearted · dismal · bleak · forlorn
Very light precipitation
- showersLight, passing rainfalls
- sprinkleLight scattering of particles
- mistFine airborne moisture
- dropletsMinute liquid globules
pitter-patter · wetness · moisture · mizzle · damp · puddles · soaking · drenching
Sustaining or restoring vitality
- irrigationArtificial water supply for agriculture
- water cycleContinuous planetary moisture movement
- fertileAble to reproduce abundantly
- verdantLush with plants
growth · replenishing · sustenance · petrichor · nurturing · rejuvenating · hydrating · greening
thundercloud
Rain-bearing atmospheric formation
- lightningAtmospheric electrical discharge
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
thunderstorm · downpour · deluge · monsoon · torrent · gale · electrical storm · thunder · rumbling · cumulonimbus
threatening
Expressing intent to harm
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- loomingAppearing threateningly close
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
darkening · menacing · portentous · brewing · impending · approaching · warning · harbinger · brooding · heavy
melancholy
Subdued, lasting sadness
gray · brooding · gloom · dark mood · downcast · heavy-hearted · dismal · bleak · forlorn · pensive
drizzle
Very light precipitation
droplets · pitter-patter · wetness · moisture · mizzle · damp · puddles · soaking · drenching · splatter
life-giving
Sustaining or restoring vitality
- irrigationArtificial water supply for agriculture
- water cycleContinuous planetary moisture movement
- fertileAble to reproduce abundantly
verdant · growth · replenishing · sustenance · petrichor · nurturing · rejuvenating · hydrating · greening · crops
- cloud shapespuff, wisp, billow, cumulus, cirrus
- Cloudscumulus, stratus, cirrus, nimbostratus, stratocumulus
- petroglyphsspiral, bighorn sheep, handprint, sun symbol, human figure
- Dutch countrysidepolder, dike, canal, tulip field, dairy farm
- low cloudsstratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus, low ceiling, scud
rain cloudcirrus
High wispy ice formation
cumulus · wispy cloud · mare's tail · stratus · altocumulus
rain cloudclear sky
Atmosphere without clouds
blue sky · sunshine · open sky · fair weather · sunny skies
rain, cloud, cloudy, rainy, rains, raining, rainfall, rainstorm, raindrop