Cloudbursts are almost synonymous with heavy rainfall and storms. The term cloudburst may seem straightforward, but they have many key points that make them unique.
Cloudbursts can be more frequent in specific regions, and they have the ability to increase risks like flooding.
What is a cloudburst?
A cloudburst is exactly what it sounds like – a sudden and heavy downpour of rain in a short amount of time.
Anand Sharma, a retired meteorologist, described cloudbursts in an Associated Press article as “a huge bucket filled with water that is toppled over.”
The American Meteorological Society describes cloudbursts as any sudden and heavy fall of rain. They can also be called rain gush or rain gust.
The term cloudburst is sometimes used unofficially to describe a rainfall event greater than 3.94 inches per hour.
Cloudbursts can come-and-go quickly and are often characterized by going from little rain to a heavy downpour in a short amount of time. They’re often localized to specific, smaller regions.
Cloudbursts can lead to flash floods due to the intense rainfall.
What causes a cloudburst?
Several contributing factors can lead to cloudburst including:
- Warm air currents: Warm air currents can prevent rain from falling to the ground. This can cause them to rise and increase in size.
- Cumulonimbus clouds: Cumulonimbus clouds are large, cauliflower-shaped clouds that are filled with water.
- Cold air: If cold air enters the cloud, it can cause the air flow within to move downward.
- Weakened upward currents: When these air currents weaken, it can allow the water to fall to the ground as a cloudburst.
Cloudbursts are more common over hills and mountains. The sloped terrain facilities the ascent of warm air currents into the atmosphere.
How do you survive a cloudburst?
Cloudbursts can occur rapidly, and without warning. It’s important to check weather conditions and pay attention to any warning that local weather services issue.
Remaining safe during a cloudburst involves many of the same things as staying safe during storms.
Things to do to remain safe during cloudburst:
- Stay alert by monitoring forecasts and warnings
- Avoid low lying areas that are prone to flooding
- Seek higher ground if caught outdoors
- Go indoors and if possible, move to higher floors
- Don’t drive through heavy rains or floodwater
- Follow evacuation orders if necessary
- Be prepared in case of emergency
How long do cloudbursts last?
Cloudbursts mostly occur over the Himalayas, Western Ghats and northeastern hill states of India.
According to the Climate Research Lab, a single-cell cloud may last for an hour. The cloud can dump all the rain in the last 20 to 30 minutes. It’s possible for some of these clouds to merge to form multi-cell storms that last several hours.
An Associated Press article states that the frequency of cloudbursts are increasing in India due to climate change. “Global warming is leading to more evaporation of water and because of this dense cumulonimbus clouds are forming, resulting in intense rainfall,” said retired meteorologist Anand Sharma in an Associated Press article.
How can you stop cloudbursts?
While there’s no way to stop cloudbursts, there are steps to take to mitigate the effects of them.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) states that “using grey infrastructure, like sewer pipes and underground storage tanks, and green infrastructure, like trees and rain gardens” can better manage cloudbursts.
Green and grey infrastructure can minimize the damage done to properties and reduce the strain on sewer systems.
Alex Cossin | Associate Editor
Alex Cossin is the associate editor for Waterworld Magazine, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions, which compose the Endeavor Business Media Water Group. Cossin graduated from Kent State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Cossin can be reached at [email protected].
