What Is A Cloudburst & Why Does It Happen?
One of the most naturly dangerous weather events is cloudbursts. They can cause very damage in a short time and happen suddenly and without much notice. A cloudburst,unlike normal rainfall, its so powerful that the ground & rivers are unable to absorb the amount of water, which often results in landslides and flash floods.
In this blog we will explore what a cloudburst is, why it happens and how long it lasts, and how it is different from heavy rain.
What is a Cloudburst?
A sudden powerful rainfall that occurs quickly in small area is called a cloudburst. According to meteorologists research, 1 hour rainfall of at least 100 millimeters over a small area. They are found in hilly mountain areas espacialy during the monsoon season when there is a lot of air is moist.
Cloudbursts are most common where warm air from the plains meets cold air from the hills to create conditions for torrential rainfall. In mountainous areas like the Himalayas.
Why Do Cloudbursts Happen?
Cloudbursts usually happen following causes:
1. Moist Air Rising Up:
When warm, moist air from the plains hits the mountains, it quickly rises in hilly areas. The air cools and condenses as it rises, making thick rain clouds.
2. Cooling and Condensation:
This humid air cools down quickly as it rises. The water vapor in it turns into water droplets, which make thick rain clouds.
3. Clouds Becoming Overloaded:
The cloud can hold more water than usual at times. It releases all most of the water at once When it can no longer contain the water.
4. Thunderstorms and Winds:
Thunderstorms are connected to cloudbursts. Clouds may become unsteady couse to strong winds & unstable air pressure, It could force them to all release water immediately.
How Long Do Cloudbursts Last?
Although cloudbursts are short lived they can have catastrophic effects. Cloudbursts often last between a few minutes and an hour. They unlock a great deal of rain in this brief period, often as much as a city usually gets in a few weeks.
For Example:
An area may receive 50 to 100 mm of rain in 15 to 30 minutes during a cloudburst. Cause there isn’t enough time for this huge amount of water to properly drain away or sink into the ground flooding occurs so quickly.
The damage caused is long lasting even though it is temporary. Houses farms bridges & roads can all be wiped away in a matter of minutes.
What is the Difference Between a Cloudburst and Heavy Rain?
Although their similar sounds cloudbursts & heavy rain are not the same thing:
1. Time Duration:
. Heavy rain: Can last for several hours or even days.
. Cloudburst: The following may last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or so.
2. Rainfall Intensity:
. Heavy rain: constant long lasting heavy rain.
. Cloudburst: Extremely strong rainfall that falls all at once.
3. Area Covered:
. Heavy rain typically covers a wide area.
. Cloud burst: Affects a very small and localized area.
4. Impact:
. Heavy rain: Causes waterlogging swollen rivers or gradual flooding.
. Cloudburst: Causes sudden flash floods landslides & immediate destruction.
To put it simply while cloudbursts occur suddenly and leave no time to react heavy rain allows time to prepare and control the water.
How Can Cloudbursts Affect Our Safety?
The variability of storms makes hard to assess their exact moment But safety precautions can lower risks:
1. Weather Warning:
Pay extra attention to climate predictions during the monsoon season especially for areas that are hilly or at risk for flooding.
2. Avoid Risky Area:
Avoid wet hills unstable slopes or riverbanks while it raining a lot.
3. Emergency Plans:
In the event of unexpected flooding populations in hilly areas should have evacuation plans.
4. Infrastructure Planning:
In regions prone to cloud bursts, governments must construct better drainage systems and flood barriers.
A cloudburst is a sudden, strong, and dangerous rainfall that usually happens in mountain regions. It happens when moist air rises quickly, cools and releases large amounts of water in a short time. While it does not last long, It causes a great deal of destruction.
The main difference between a cloudburst & heavy rain is intense & speed. Heavy rain is long and dispersed but a cloudburst is short, violent, and very concentrated.
Read more related articles > https://www.climatechallange.com/severe-thunderstorms-warnings-across-u-s-midwest/