Why does it rain in the afternoon?

LOL Rob...that's why I work the 2nd shift. It hardly ever rains in the morning!

Do you want a lesson in meteorology and a talk about convection currents and the sun, blah, blah, blah. I remember I told you guys I changed majors like my 8 year old changes girlfriends. I had a Geology thing going once and Earth Science was part of it. Darn boring stuff, let me tell you, and I was interested in it.


I agree. Rain should be limited to times that it is conveniant for those of us who like to play outside in the evenings! Early mornings are right out too.


Edited by nliedel 2005-08-08 11:39 AM

Yes! Actually, as I was driving in today, I was thinking about it and figured it had something to do with the sun/heat and currents... But, since I'm far from the brightest bulb on the bush , I really don't know...

OK how do I make this not a yawner?

As the earth heats up with the sun, during the day time, moisture evaporates. As the moisture evaporates it condenses. Condensation leads to precipitation as clouds become "heavier". The water vapor becomes ice as it rises and cools and the ice falls from the clouds and melts on the way down to the warmer earth becoming rain.

Leaves help because plants sweat too (not like we do but follow me here) this process is called Transpiration. That's why it's rainer in some places than others.

the water on the earth actually travels all around the world in the ocean in a sort of river. The process takes about, and I may be wrong here but I watched a show on this on Saturday, 5,000 years for water to circle the enjtire earth.

The sun, as a heat engine, also drives wind. Why, unless there is a front coming through, it is windy in the afternoon.

The last part of the water cycle is collection. When water runs, as rain into lakes and streams. Then someone shoots a starting gun and we get in it and swim.

So the bottom line of all this is that evaporation and transpiration are more effective when the sun can heat the water during the day. It is most effective with high humidity and warm temps. It is also related to why the humidity is usually higher in the morning before the sun comes up and lower in the afternoon.

So there is your two cent answer.

Edited by nliedel 2005-08-08 11:53 AM

Thanks. That was informative and helped tick off a few minutes of my day. After work some of us BTers are hookin’ up for an OW swim—thus why I’m worried about rain in the afternoon.

I can see how it's bad for training, but, *sigh* you make me nostolgic for afternoon summer rain showers. Colorado has some of the best, but New England's good too. I used to like to go for walks in that warm rain, and everything is lush and green. Nice.

No rain in California in the summetime. Everything brown. Socked into coastal fog. yuck.

Well as long as there is no thunder and lightening you can swim in the rain. The first clap fo thunder tho and you should be doing power strokes to shore.

I. Hate. Rain. Period. I get off work around 3:30 every day (I work part time)- and that's when the clouds are rolling in- so many of my swim workouts were cancelled last week. I hate Florida in the summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Gotta agree with that last statement. I got off a plane in June once to close my Dad's condo and.. well I sweat in the shower. NASTY!

Love rain, HATE FL in the summer.

Well, here it is... 2:30pm... and the clouds are movin' in...

As you said, Nancy, I don't mind swimming in the rain but I'd hate to be in the middle of my swim and have a T-Storm kick up.

what.she.said.

You have no idea......... 

I hear ya! Sometimes, not very often, I miss "weather". My folks are in Louisiana, where it rains nearly everyday. I don't miss the muggy weather, mind you, but ... all this sunshine bears down on you. OK, that's a lie... but some variety would be nice. Where I am the coastal fog only comes in after dark, and it's a blessing because it cools off and you can sleep with the windows open.

I lived in Kansas for a while, and Michigan before that, and what I miss the most is thunderstorms. And lightening bugs.