Heavy · average intensity
The rain is illustrative. Actual intensity varies within a storm.
The quick answer
20 mm/hrAverage rainfall rate- Total water per m²
- 20 litres
- Depth in inches
- 0.787 in
- Across a 100 m² area
- 2,000 litres
Volumes assume no runoff, evaporation or infiltration.
Amount and intensity are different.
20 L/m² tells you the total rain. Dividing that amount by 1 hour gives the average hourly rate of 20 mm/hr.
This falls in the explorer’s “heavy” display category. Brief peaks could be higher, and weather services may use different category thresholds.
See how the scale works →What happens on the ground?
Soil, slopes, drainage, earlier rain and the shape of the storm all matter. A rainfall total alone cannot tell you whether a place will flood or whether travel is safe.
For conditions where you are, check official local forecasts and warnings. Use this page to understand the quantities.
Weather data & references →