Showers and rain are frequently used terms in meteorology, making it essential to understand the difference between the two in order to accurately anticipate weather conditions. Looking at weekly weather predictions in newspapers or on TV, you might see the terms “heavy rain” and “scattered showers” used to describe various days. While you may not fully grasp the distinction, you know both terms indicate the need for an umbrella or raincoat when venturing outside. This article will explore the differences between rain and showers.
What are Showers?
The Oxford dictionary defines a shower as “a brief and usually light fall of rain, hail, sleet, or snow.” The type of precipitation, whether rain or a shower, depends on the kind of cloud it originates from. Showers come from cumuliform clouds, which are a combination of cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds. Although you might hear about hail and snow showers, different names are used when referring to these types of precipitation. If you hear or read the word “showers” by itself, it typically refers to rain showers. Cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorm clouds that produce heavy rain, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in the form of rain showers. Weather commentators often describe passing showers during baseball games when clouds briefly drench the field. Showers are localized and scattered, so not everyone in a city gets wet. Additionally, showers are typically short-lived.
What is Rain?
In contrast, stratiform clouds are responsible for rain. Altostratus and nimbostratus are two types of stratiform clouds that produce rain, with nimbostratus being thicker and yielding heavier rainfall. Generally, the term “rain” is more commonly used to describe a widespread phenomenon covering vast areas. Unlike showers, rain affects a larger area and is more widespread. Also, rain tends to last for longer periods than passing showers.
Key Takeaways
- Showers are brief, localized, and scattered, while rain is widespread and longer-lasting.
- The type of cloud determines whether precipitation will be in the form of showers or rain; cumuliform clouds produce showers, while stratiform clouds produce rain.
- Altostratus and nimbostratus are rain-bearing stratiform clouds, while cumulus and cumulonimbus are cumuliform clouds that produce showers.
