Bedno.com
Portlanders have many words for rain.

Riffing on the Eskimos and Snow story, collected words for rain, in increasing order by intensity, some with brief definitions. Collected from meteorological technical vocabulary and thesauri. Click a word for dictionary lookup.
Liquid SunshineHumorous or ironic term
CondensationWater vapor beginning to change state to liquid.
DewyMoist with, affected by, or suggestive of dew.
MoistSlightly wet, not completely dry.
MistVery fine droplets often more atmospheric than wet
TrickleTo fall in drops.
SprinkleLight scattered rain
SpittleFrothy saliva.
SpatterScattered splash of small drops.
SplatterSplashed and scattered.
SplashDashed about in scattered masses.
PepperingSprinkled lightly as with seasoning.
PatteringA rapid succession of light taps.
MizzleBetween mist and drizzle.
DrizzleVery light rain with small drops. ("DZ")
Mixed PrecipitationCombination of different forms of precipitation simultaneously or transitioning.
DrippingDrips, drops, dropping.
TearsAs if angles were crying.
PrecipitationGeneral term for any form of water falling from the sky
WetInformal general term
ShowerBrief and light rain. ("SH")
Window WasherRain just enough to rinse windows off.
RainfallThe amount of rain that falls
RainWater droplets. ("RA")
PluieFrench word for rain (used poetically in English sometimes)
Volley
Rainstorm
Stream
Front
Atmospheric River
Sploosh
Globs
Gush
CloudburstSudden  intense rain
Coming Down
Thundershower
SnowIce crystals that form snowflakes. ("SN")
SlushA mixture of snow and water. ("RASN")
Flurry
Freezing DrizzleDrizzle that freezes on contact. ("FZDZ")
Freezing RainRain that freezes on contact with a surface that is below freezing. ("FZRA")
GraupelSnow pellets or soft hail. ("GS")
HailLumps of ice formed during thunderstorms. ("GR")
Sleeting
Thunderstorm
Pelting
Pouring
Drenching
DownpourHeavy and sudden rain
Buckets
Lashing
Sheets
Salvo
SpateSudden, almost overwhelming, outpouring.
Rush
River
Cats and Dogs
Torrent
SidewaysRain at extreme angle due to wind.
Storm
Bombardment
Beating
Barrage
Squall
DelugeOverwhelming or torrential rain
Flood
MonsoonSeasonal heavy rain especially in South Asia
Hurricane
Cyclone


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2025.11.04