General Info:
Rain is a type of precipitation, a product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that is deposited on the Earth's surface. It forms when separate drops of water fall to the Earth from clouds. Not all rain reaches the surface; some evaporates while falling through dry air. When none of it reaches the ground, it is called virga, a phenomenon often seen in hot, dry desert regions.
Classifying what qualifies as a storm
- according to the amount of precipitation...
- Very light rain — when the precipitation rate is < 0.25 mm/hour
- Light rain — when the precipitation rate is between 0.25 mm/hour - 1.0 mm/hour
- Moderate rain — when the precipitation rate is between 1.0 mm/hour - 4.0 mm/hour
- Heavy rain — when the precipitation rate is between 4.0 mm/hour - 16.0 mm/hour
- Very heavy rain — when the precipitation rate is between 16.0 mm/hour - 50 mm/hour
- Extreme rain — when the precipitation rate is > 50.0 mm/hour
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