1.
thunderstorm
A rainstorm accompanied by thunder and lightning. Common in summer in Japan, often occurring suddenly in the afternoon.
午後から雷雨になった。
There was a thunderstorm from the afternoon.
激しい雷雨で試合が中止になった。
The game was canceled due to a heavy thunderstorm.
天気予報によると、今夜は雷雨の可能性があるそうだ。
According to the weather forecast, there's a possibility of thunderstorms tonight.
USAGE:
雷雨 specifically refers to rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. It is a standard weather term used in both everyday conversation and weather forecasts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 激しい雷雨 (heavy thunderstorm)
- 雷雨に見舞われる (to be hit by a thunderstorm)
- 雷雨注意報 (thunderstorm advisory)
SIMILAR WORDS:
雷 refers to thunder or lightning alone, while 雷雨 specifically means a rainstorm with thunder. 夕立 is a sudden evening shower, which may or may not include thunder.