Rain is one of the natural phenomena that is the easiest to detect, even without technology. However, you can only do that by knowing the inner workings and changes that occur with rain.
To know if rain is coming, look for cloud formations, changes in humidity, air pressure, temperature, wind, the smell of the air, and animal behavior. You can also keep an eye out for thunder and lightning, but this can only help if these accompany the rain. Your last resort can be to check the weather forecast to confirm your predictions.
For more information on detecting these changes, please continue reading this article.
1. Cloud Formation
Look up! Viewing the clouds forming overhead is one of the quickest and easiest ways of determining if rain is coming.
Rain clouds often have a dark gray or black color and look very dense. This is a clear sign of the occurrence of heavy rain soon. However, the likelihood of rain may be low if the gray clouds are sparse and lower in number than white or blue clouds.
2. Humidity
Humidity is one of the key factors contributing to rain and can be seen as a sign that rain is about to occur. High moisture content in the air aids the clouds in forming rain.
Humidity can be determined by how airy it feels and how your skin feels. If the moisture is higher, it means the air is humid. Higher humidity is often a sign of heavy rainfall and rainfall that is about to occur. Low humidity may mean a slight chance of rain, and the rain clouds are still forming.
3. Air Pressure
Air pressure changes greatly when there is a chance of rain as warm air rises to create an atmosphere for rain, and a low-pressure area is created near the surface. A huge drop in air pressure feels this, and heaviness is experienced in the air.
Some more sensitive people may experience a drop in air pressure with bodily symptoms like nausea or stiffness.
A massive drop in air pressure indicates a high chance of rain, but a negligible drop in air pressure means rain is unlikely to occur.
4. Wind
The changes in air pressure greatly impact the wind; hence, changes in wind speed are also seen as one sign of rain about to occur.
As air pressure drops in a certain region, the wind from the surrounding area gushes inwards to fill in the gap. The higher the drop is, the stronger the winds are. Hence, the stronger the winds are, the more the chances of rain are; however, if the winds are low and other signs are present, this may mean that the chances of rain are still low.
5. Temperature
As the environment begins to gear up to form rain, the temperature also drops. The drop is not very drastic, but it often feels like that on the body. This is due to the water vapors in the air, which condense on the skin with air and give you a cooling effect.
Moreover, the mechanisms of rain formation require warm air to rise. This is replaced by cool air, which also plays a role in dropping the air temperature.
Hence, if a drop in temperature is experienced in addition to other signs of rain, it is highly likely that rain is coming.
6. Smell
The smell of the air is something that changes as the atmospheric factors change. This may be seen as a sign of rain or other natural phenomena. However, this is something that everybody cannot observe.
As rain is about to approach, an earthy and fresh smell can be observed. This occurs due to the increase in humidity and the way it reacts with organic compounds. These organic compounds make the smell of trees and soil more pronounced in the air.
Keeping a check on the changes in smell can also help you determine whether rain is about to occur.
7. Animal Behavior
Animals are closer to nature than humans are and sense the intricate changes in the environment sooner. Hence, animal behavior is greatly influenced when it is about to rain.
Some signs to look out for in animals to sense if it is about to rain are:
- Birds are flying around frantically.
- Birds flock together in groups.
- Mammals begin to seek shelter in places with shade.
- Dogs may bark more.
8. Thunder Or Lightning
Lightning and thunder often form within the clouds, bringing rain. These can be observed well before rain is detected. If you begin to hear thunder or see flashes of lightning bolts in the sky, there is a very high likelihood that rain is about to occur.
Hence, if the other obvious signs of rain are observed, it is good to watch for thunder and lightning to know exactly when rain is about to fall.
However, sometimes thunder and lightning do not form and accompany the rain, so this sign is not always observed.
9. Weather Forecast
This is the most prominent and easy way to know if rain is about to occur. You can even find out days or weeks before the rain signs form. However, weather forecasts can be inaccurate and provide information that does not always translate into reality.
Regardless, these can be great resources to use before planning trips or bigger events. it is good to be cautious rather than regret a decision later.
If you have access to the internet and a mobile device, it is best to check the Weather Application to determine the chances of rain occurring and the intensity of rain that will fall.
Final Thoughts
Knowing when rain is coming and how intense the rain will be can help you plan out many things. This not only allows you to make plans accordingly but also helps you take any preventative measures necessary to secure your home in the event of a destructive rainstorm.