Rainfall intensity is classified according to the rate of precipitation:
Light rain — when the precipitation rate is < 2.5 mm (0.098 in) per hour
Moderate rain — when the precipitation rate is between 2.5 mm (0.098 in) - 7.6 mm (0.30 in) or 10 mm (0.39 in) per hour[103][104]
Heavy rain — when the precipitation rate is > 7.6 mm (0.30 in) per hour,[103] or between 10 mm (0.39 in) and 50 mm (2.0 in) per hour[104]
Violent rain — when the precipitation rate is > 50 mm (2.0 in) per hour[104]
Euphemisms for a heavy or violent rain include gully washer, trash-mover and toad-strangler.[105][106]