Rain is a form of precipitation that occurs when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid droplets that become heavy enough to fall under gravity. This process typically begins within clouds when water vapor cools and condenses on particles like dust or sea salt, forming water droplets. As these droplets collide and merge, they grow until they are heavy enough to overcome air resistance and fall to the ground as rain. Rain plays a critical role in the Earth’s water cycle, helping to distribute water across various geographic regions, replenishing lakes, rivers, and aquifers. It is vital for sustaining plant and animal life, influencing climate patterns, and supporting agriculture. However, excessive rain can lead to flooding and landslides, causing significant environmental and economic impacts. The distribution and frequency of rain vary widely across the planet, profoundly affecting ecosystems and human habitats.
Rainfall fluctuates more vigorously. Why? Scientists say it’s because of us. Many people worldwide have observed that rainfall is becoming increasingly erratic. Intense downpours are…
A study from the University of São Paulo indicates the Cerrado is experiencing its most severe drought in centuries due to rising temperatures and disrupted…
A study on PFAS in the Great Lakes shows uniform pollution levels from precipitation and differing rates of chemical removal across the lakes, emphasizing the…
Measuring the precise quantity of rainfall in a particular area is straightforward when there is equipment specifically designed to accurately capture and relay precipitation data….
River flooding is among the most catastrophic disasters worldwide. The Pearl River, the longest watercourse in southern China, particularly its lower reach with dense population…
Some floods are so severe they rarely strike more than once a century, but rising seas could threaten coastal communities with yearly extreme floods by…
Researchers found that Atlantic hurricane activity and Sahel rainfall follow aerosol emissions. A new climate study led by scientists at the University Miami Rosenstiel School…
To be outstanding in one’s field, one may need to be out standing in one’s field. An interdisciplinary research team led by John T. Van…
When droplets of rain descend from the clouds, they generate a small amount of energy that can be captured and converted into electricity. This process…
According to new research, chances to see rainbows will rise in northern latitudes while falling in many tropical regions. According to a recent study conducted…
While rain is essential for the survival of plants, it also contains bacteria and other pathogens which can cause them harm. So how do plants…
When it rains, plants are not only showered with water, but also microbes. These rain-borne microbes have the opportunity to become part of a plant’s…
Raindrops on other planets and moons are close to the size of raindrops on Earth despite having different chemical compositions and falling through vastly different…
The 2020 summer monsoon season has delivered historic amounts of rain to China. Since June, unusually strong, stationary weather systems have produced frequent storms and…
New research gives the first observational evidence that the southern Amazon rainforest triggers its own rainy season using water vapor from plant leaves. The new…
Atmospheric chemists from MIT test how effective rain is at cleaning the atmosphere, revealing the most accurate values of coagulation to date. As a raindrop…
MIT scientists use high-speed cameras to show that when a raindrop hits a surface it traps tiny air bubbles at the point of contact and…
Rising temperatures, persistent drought, and depleted aquifers could set the stage for a second Dust Bowl, a period of drought and dust storms that affected…