Environment & Energy

Uncle Joe

(65,314 posts) Thu Apr 23, 2026, 12:24 PM 4 hrs ago

Rain Bombs Full Documentary NOVA PBS

An invisible, unpredictable atmospheric force is wreaking havoc across the globe, sinking superyachts and bringing down planes. Follow scientists as they race to understand these catastrophic weather events, exploring how they form, what causes their devastating impacts, and how we might someday learn to predict them. From high-tech simulations and drone expeditions into thunderclouds to possible links with climate change, join investigators on the cutting edge of research to discover what's truly behind these terrifying "rain bombs" and how we can protect ourselves from their growing power.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
05:22 What is a Rain Bomb?
12:25 How Does Hail Form?
19:24 Downbursts and Cold Pools
25:46 Accidents Caused by Downbursts
33:48 What is a Derecho?
39:46 Storm Chasing Rain Bombs
43:54 Protection Against Downbursts

2 replies

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Rain Bombs Full Documentary NOVA PBS (Original Post) Uncle Joe 4 hrs ago OP

What the oil boys don't want us to know: why cbabe 4 hrs ago #1

I don't get the new name. They've been downbursts since like forever. Calling them something new makes them sound new Cheezoholic 3 hrs ago #2

cbabe

(6,713 posts)

1. What the oil boys don't want us to know: why

Reply to Uncle Joe (Original post)

Thu Apr 23, 2026, 12:42 PM

4 hrs ago

the national weather service is being decimated.

Cheezoholic

(3,799 posts)

2. I don't get the new name. They've been downbursts since like forever. Calling them something new makes them sound new

Reply to Uncle Joe (Original post)

Thu Apr 23, 2026, 12:44 PM

3 hrs ago

like they're some new weather phenomena. I don't think that's a good thing. Are we going to start calling thunderstorms Lightning Bombs next? Plus these are very hard to forecast precisely. Any thunderstorm can collapse without a "cold pool" and cause a sudden downburst/microburst. Simple rain can mix down 50+ mph winds from 10k feet in the right conditions. Calling them Rain Bombs is just going to give people with there faces stuck to their phones something else to complain about. "OMG, we got hit by a Rain Bomb and there was no warning!! Eeeek!" lol. Good Doc for awareness but call it what it is. (And trust me, unless you live in the desert you aren't likely to see one coming)

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