heavy downpour

USAGE SUMMARY

"heavy downpour" is a perfectly valid phrase that is used in written English.
It is used to refer to a large amount of rain that comes down in a short period of time, usually accompanied by thunder and lightning. For example, "The city was hit with a heavy downpour in the middle of the night, and the streets were flooded in no time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A heavy downpour?

The New York Times

An astonishingly heavy downpour flattened the seas.

Independent

A heavy downpour again fell on Dhaka.

The New York Times

Prepare for a heavy downpour of righteous rock'n'roll.

The Guardian - Music

Williams called Costolo, who was driving home from the airport through a heavy downpour.

The New York Times - Magazine

When a heavy downpour suddenly started, many listeners held their ground.

The New York Times

It may be "raining iron, first a light patter, then a heavy downpour".

The New York Times - Books

By noon, the drizzle had turned to a fairly heavy downpour.

The New York Times

In mid-afternoon, the festivities were interrupted by a heavy downpour.

The New York Times

The floods followed a heavy downpour in canyons to the north of the town, between 4 and 5pm on Monday.

Independent

Scores of people who took refuge at this fuel station in Accra, #Ghana during a heavy downpour, Wednesday died.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heavy downpour" to vividly describe sudden and intense rainfall events in both descriptive and narrative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "heavy downpour" in highly formal or scientific reports where more precise meteorological terms like "high-intensity precipitation" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy downpour" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It is typically used as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase to describe a significant weather event, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heavy downpour" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a sudden and intense rainfall event. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase, typically conveying information about the severity and suddenness of the precipitation. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for general descriptions and news reports. When writing, consider the specific context; while "heavy downpour" is appropriate in many situations, more formal terms like "high-intensity precipitation" may be preferred in scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "torrential rain" or "cloudburst" can provide subtle differences in meaning, enhancing the descriptive impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy rainfall

A direct synonym, focusing on the substantial amount of rain.

torrential rain

Emphasizes the intense, overwhelming nature of the rain.

cloudburst

Sudden and intense rainfall, often over a short period.

intense rainfall

Highlights the high degree of intensity of the rain.

pouring rain

Describes the action of the rain falling heavily.

severe thunderstorm

Broader term including thunder and lightning along with heavy rain.

deluge

A more dramatic term for a severe flood or heavy rain.

extreme precipitation

A more general term encompassing any form of very heavy rainfall.

tropical storm

A weather system characterized by heavy rain and strong winds.

monsoon

A seasonal change in wind direction causing heavy rainfall.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "heavy downpour" in a sentence?

Use "heavy downpour" to describe a sudden and intense period of rainfall. For instance, "The picnic was ruined by a "heavy downpour" that started unexpectedly."

What are some alternatives to "heavy downpour"?

Alternatives include "torrential rain", "intense rainfall", or "cloudburst", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "heavy downpour" in scientific writing?

While acceptable, more formal terms such as "high-intensity precipitation" or "extreme precipitation" may be preferred in scientific contexts for greater precision.

What's the difference between "heavy downpour" and "heavy rain"?

"Heavy downpour" typically implies a sudden and intense burst of rain, whereas "heavy rain" refers more generally to a sustained period of significant rainfall.