Rain Rates vs. Storm Totals

news image
Top Stories
8 Feb 2018 1:42 PM
https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/10156232567654874/ When we talk about rainfall rates during a storm, timing and amount is everything. "A half an inch per hour is the minimal guidance for debris flow and here we got a half an inch in 5 minutes," said David Gomberg, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard. Gomberg is referring to the historic rainfall rates that lead to catastrophic mudslides in parts of Southern California at the beginning of 2018. "We saw rainfall rates that were anywhere from about four to even six times the rate that we could see for USGS threshold," Gomberg said. Rainfall rates measure the intensity of rain within a certain period of time. That's different from rainfall totals, which are the overall amount of rain expected to fall during a storm. https://twitter.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/951588431368421376 "When we are talking about rainfall rates of high intensity we are looking at those time scales under one hour," Gomberg said. Rainfall rates can be measured by a combination of rain gauges and Doppler Radar. "Typically on the order of hourly rainfall estimates and also instantaneous rainfall estimates we kind of use a combination of both of those with the rain gauges that kind of give us an overall picture of rain rates," Gomberg said. Crucial information we need to know to determine if there is a threat for flooding or mud and debris flow in recent burn scar areas. For WeatherNation, I’m Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo  
All Weather News
More
Potentially Catastrophic Flooding Likely for the Midsouth

Potentially Catastrophic Flooding Likely for the Midsouth

Prolonged heavy rain is expected to begin Wed

2 Apr 2025 2:35 AM
FORECAST: Relentless Severe Chances This Week

FORECAST: Relentless Severe Chances This Week

Severe chances have been easy to find in the

2 Apr 2025 2:30 AM
Heavy, Wet Snow on Northern Side of Severe Weather

Heavy, Wet Snow on Northern Side of Severe Weather

NORTHERN U.S. - Winter weather alerts continu

2 Apr 2025 2:25 AM
Wet & Snowy Western Storm System Through Wednesday

Wet & Snowy Western Storm System Through Wednesday

A strong storm system continues in California

2 Apr 2025 1:10 AM
Severe Storms Leave Damage from the Midwest to the Deep South This Week

Severe Storms Leave Damage from the Midwest to the Deep South This Week

Powerful storms raced through the Midwest and

1 Apr 2025 12:16 PM
Slight Risk For Severe Storms Overnight

Slight Risk For Severe Storms Overnight

All modes of severe weather were seen Monday

1 Apr 2025 2:55 AM
Ice Storm In the Great Lakes Through New England

Ice Storm In the Great Lakes Through New England

GREAT LAKES to NORTHEAST - As the freezing li

31 Mar 2025 1:55 AM