cloudburst

[kloud-burst]

noun

1. a sudden and very heavy rainfall.

cloudburst

/ ˈklaʊdˌbɜːst /

noun

1. a heavy downpour

Word History and Origins

Origin of cloudburst¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; cloud + burst

Example Sentences

Experts say this is increasingly happening in the mountainous regions where massive moisture-laden clouds hit the hills, pouring huge amounts of rain very quickly in a small area - a phenomenon that is known as cloudburst.

From BBC

Extreme weather events such as cloudbursts are hard to predict in advance.

From BBC

Uttarakhand's chief minister and other officials initially said the flash floods were caused by a cloudburst, but India's weather department has not confirmed this.

From BBC

Officials say more than 100 people are missing after a cloudburst triggered devastating flash floods in India's northern state of Uttarakhand.

From BBC

Dozens of people are feared trapped after a massive cloudburst triggered flash floods in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

From BBC