A ‘rain bomb’ or more accurately, a microburst, is the result of a severe weather pattern. This phenomenon caused by a sudden and small concentrated downburst of wind and rain and is unleashed over a specific area.
Hot, dry air rises and mixes with heavy rain-bearing clouds. The water droplets evaporate, which causes a cooling of the air around them which then starts to sink. This falling air pulls down the remaining droplets, resulting in the deluge of water.
Although incredible to look at, these microbursts can be quite dangerous.
‘Microbursts can cause extensive damage at the surface, and in some instances, can be life-threatening,’ according to the US National Weather Service.
Microburst during a storm in Perth, Australia . @opplevelse/Twitter
A microburst over the Pacific Ocea. @Rainmaker1973/ Twitter
Microburst over Brazil. @StormchaserUKEU/Twitter
Microburst over Phoenix, USA. @StormchaserUKEU/Twitter
They last for a very short period of time, only around 5–10 minutes, but with fast-moving wind can cause quite a lot of damage.
Wind speeds can reach a maximum of over 200km/h.
