A sudden, violent rainstorm with heavy rainfall in a short period, often causing flash flooding.
Compound of 'cloud' plus 'burst' (from Old Norse 'bresta'), suggesting a cloud has literally broken open. This term became common in the 19th century as meteorology advanced.
A cloudburst can drop more rain in 10 minutes than normally falls in a month—they're so intense that they can cause flash floods that turn peaceful streams into raging rivers within minutes!
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