rain clouds
Gray moisture carriers
Rain clouds are clouds that produce or threaten precipitation—the dark, heavy formations that bring rain, snow, or storms.
The term is more descriptive than technical, used to identify clouds by their effect rather than their meteorological classification: Those rain clouds mean we should head inside.
Figuratively, rain clouds suggest gloom or impending trouble: Rain clouds gathered over the struggling company.
Dense, billowing cloud type
- nimbusLuminous disk or raincloud
- stratusLow, flat cloud layer
- cumulonimbusTowering storm-producing cloud
- nimbostratusThick gray rain-bearing cloud
overcast · cloud cover · low ceiling · billowing · formation · moisture · humidity · atmosphere
Very light precipitation
- downpourIntense precipitation event
- showersLight, passing rainfalls
- delugeSevere overflow of water
- sprinkleLight scattering of particles
raindrops · thunderstorm · torrent · squall · monsoon · mist · spitting · scattered showers
Storm's acoustic aftermath
- lightningAtmospheric electrical discharge
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- electrical stormViolent weather with lightning
- supercellRotating severe thunderstorm
thunderhead · rumbling · flash · crack · rolling thunder · sheet lightning · approaching storm · ominous
Subdued, lasting sadness
- gloomPervasive dimness or dejection
- bleaknessQuality of being dreary
- drearinessState of dispiriting dullness
- somberGravely serious in mood
grey · overhanging · foreboding · oppressive · heaviness · sadness · brooding · ominous
Help during prolonged dryness
- parched earthSeverely dried-out ground
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- life-givingSustaining or restoring vitality
- replenishingRestoring to fullness
awaited · farmers · dry spell · greening · revitalization · hope · long-awaited
cumulus
Dense, billowing cloud type
- nimbusLuminous disk or raincloud
- stratusLow, flat cloud layer
- cumulonimbusTowering storm-producing cloud
nimbostratus · overcast · cloud cover · low ceiling · billowing · formation · moisture · humidity · atmosphere · barometer
drizzle
Very light precipitation
sprinkle · raindrops · thunderstorm · torrent · squall · monsoon · mist · spitting · scattered showers · passing showers
thunder
Storm's acoustic aftermath
- lightningAtmospheric electrical discharge
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- electrical stormViolent weather with lightning
supercell · thunderhead · rumbling · flash · crack · rolling thunder · sheet lightning · approaching storm · ominous · turbulent
melancholy
Subdued, lasting sadness
- gloomPervasive dimness or dejection
- bleaknessQuality of being dreary
- drearinessState of dispiriting dullness
somber · grey · overhanging · foreboding · oppressive · heaviness · sadness · brooding · ominous · threatening
drought relief
Help during prolonged dryness
- parched earthSeverely dried-out ground
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- life-givingSustaining or restoring vitality
replenishing · awaited · farmers · dry spell · greening · revitalization · hope · long-awaited
- weatherweather, sun, snow, wind, cloud
- cloud artcumulus, cirrus, stratus, nimbus, cloud formations
- raindrizzling, downpour, raindrop, raindrops, droplets
- Cloudscumulus, stratus, cirrus, nimbostratus, stratocumulus
- rainfallprecipitation, drizzle, downpour, shower, wet season
- skiesblue skies, night sky, night skies, stormy skies, open skies
rain cloudsclear skies
Absence of cloud cover
sunshine · blue sky · cirrus clouds · wispy clouds · thin clouds
rain cloudsclear sky
Atmosphere without clouds
blue sky · open sky · sunny skies · sunshine
rain cloudssilver lining
Consolation within misfortune
sunshine · ray of sunshine · ray of hope · sunny skies · fair weather