Heavy · average intensity
The rain is illustrative. Actual intensity varies within a storm.
The quick answer
20.833 mm/hrAverage rainfall rate- Total water per m²
- 500 litres
- Depth in inches
- 19.685 in
- Across a 100 m² area
- 50,000 litres
Volumes assume no runoff, evaporation or infiltration.
Amount and intensity are different.
500 mm tells you the total rain. Dividing that amount by 24 hours gives the average hourly rate of 20.833 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 →