rainfall
measured amount of rain
The amount of rain that falls in a place during a certain time.
[amount] of rainfall in [place] during [time]
- The region receives very little rainfall during the winter months.
- Last night’s storm brought over 80 millimeters of rainfall to the city.
- Annual rainfall in this area has decreased over the past decade.
- Farmers depend on regular rainfall for a good harvest.
- This year’s rainfall totals have already broken previous records.
- The rainfall in July was very high.
- This city gets a lot of rainfall in spring.
- Low rainfall is a big problem for the farmers.
- The map shows the average rainfall for each month.
- We measured the rainfall after the storm.
occurrence of rain as weather
Rain that is falling in an area, talked about as a kind of weather.
rainfall is expected in [place] on [time]
- Widespread rainfall is expected across the country this weekend.
- Light rainfall continued throughout the morning commute.
- The satellite image shows heavy rainfall moving toward the coast.
- Overnight rainfall caused minor flooding in low-lying areas.
- Forecasts suggest more rainfall for the northern provinces tomorrow.
- Rainfall is expected tomorrow afternoon.
- There was light rainfall during the game.
- The news said there will be rainfall in the north.
- Heavy rainfall caused water on the roads.
- We may see more rainfall later today.
- Base: rainfall
- Plural: rainfall, rainfalls
annual rainfall
1total rain in one year
The total amount of rain that falls in a place in one year.
- The city’s average annual rainfall is about 600 millimeters.
- This region has the highest annual rainfall in the country.
- Climate change may affect the annual rainfall in this area.
average rainfall
1typical amount of rain
The usual amount of rain that a place gets, based on many years of measurements.
- This month’s rain was well below the average rainfall.
- The region’s average rainfall has changed over the last thirty years.
- Farmers compare this year’s rain with the average rainfall to plan their crops.
heavy rainfall
1a lot of rain falling
A large amount of rain that falls in a short time or in one period.
- Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in several neighborhoods.
- The road was closed after two days of heavy rainfall.
- This area often experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.
light rainfall
1a small amount of rain
A small amount of rain that falls gently.
- There will be light rainfall across the region this evening.
- Only light rainfall is expected, so flooding is unlikely.
- We walked home in light rainfall without using our umbrellas.
low rainfall
1less rain than usual
Less rain than normal for a place or time.
- Several years of low rainfall have led to water shortages.
- The plants died because of the low rainfall this season.
- Low rainfall is common in desert regions.
rainfall patterns
1typical ways rain is distributed
The usual way that rain falls in a place over time, for example which months are wet or dry.
- Scientists are studying how climate change affects rainfall patterns.
- Changes in rainfall patterns can harm local agriculture.
- The map shows global rainfall patterns throughout the year.
rainfall totals
1total amounts of rain measured
Numbers that show how much rain fell in a place over a certain time.
- Rainfall totals for the weekend reached 120 millimeters in some areas.
- The weather service released the monthly rainfall totals today.
- Comparing rainfall totals helps farmers plan irrigation.
record rainfall
1highest recorded amount of rain
More rain than has ever been measured before in that place for that time period.
- The city experienced record rainfall last weekend.
- Meteorologists confirmed that yesterday’s storm brought record rainfall to the region.
- The record rainfall caused serious damage to roads and bridges.