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Rainfall, by the numbers

25 mm in 15 minutes

An average rate of 100 mm per hour. Here’s what that amount means, in water and in motion.

Violent · average intensity

The rain is illustrative. Actual intensity varies within a storm.

The quick answer

100 mm/hrAverage rainfall rate
Total water per m²
25 litres
Depth in inches
0.984 in
Across a 100 m² area
2,500 litres
Adjust in the explorer

Volumes assume no runoff, evaporation or infiltration.

Amount and intensity are different.

25 mm tells you the total rain. Dividing that amount by 15 minutes gives the average hourly rate of 100 mm/hr.

This falls in the explorer’s “violent” 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 →

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