‘Rain bombs’ captured in all their beauty

Posted by Leila Stein on 1 March 2020

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.