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29th Jul 2018

This is what causes that lovely ‘rain smell’ that happens after a downpour

It all makes sense.

Wil Jones

Rain is back in a big way.

Water falling from the sky is back in fashion, with Friday night’s Blood Moon being among the big casualties as it thundered down last night.

One thing that has really resonated in the past 24 hours has been that distinctive rain smell.

That glorious, musty aroma that hangs around in the air after the heavens have opened.

Did you know it actually has a name? It is called ‘petrichor’.

And it is actually caused by a chemical being released from dead soil.

Isn’t that interesting? Now, go and bore people with that information next time someone mentions it.

In the meantime, be advised that a national status yellow rainfall warning is in effect until Wednesday.

Met Éireann notes that soil moisture deficits will remain in excess of 70mm in many parts of Leinster and Munster.

Topics:

rain,weather