Chol Hamoed Feature #3: Riveting Facts About Rain

By Idy Perl

During the second days we will recite Tefillas Geshem, a tefillah in which we ask Hashem to bless us with rain in this upcoming year.  

Rain is an integral part of the precipitation cycle and ensures the continuation of not just our food, but our entire earth. There are many fascinating and little-known facts about rain, which we’ll explore now. 

The Shape Of Raindrops

Unlike what most people think, raindrops aren’t… raindrop shaped. When water molecules form in the air they form a circular shape, and as they fall to the ground the air pressure flattens it out and causes it to take on the shape of a jellybean. 

Rain… or Snow?

The temperature up at the altitude at which clouds are located is freezing cold. Water forms into ice droplets, which fall to earth as snow. As the temperature warms up the snow turns back into water, which we receive as rain. 

Rain Doesn’t Always Reach Earth

When the temperature is hot enough, rain dissipates mid-air and doesn’t actually reach the ground. In places with high temperatures, sheets of rain can be seen in the sky, but disappears before it reaches the ground. 

Speed Of Rain

Scientists have been unable to give an exact number to the speed of rain since raindrops fall from different heights and vary in size. Researchers estimate that raindrops fall at an average of 14-20 miles per hour, depending on their size, making their journey to the ground take around 2-7 minutes. 

The Delicious Smell Of Rain, AKA Petrichor 

You know that delicious smell that greets you when you step outside while its raining? Its not your imagination; rain does have a distinct smell, called petrichor. The smell is caused by a bacteria called geosmin, which is released when rain hits dry soil.