Learn to Love the Rain! Fun Facts & Trivia Quiz about the Rainy Season for Kids

dry rainy season

Even though the rainy season has begun, when there is very little rain, it is called “karatsuyu,” written with the characters for “empty rainy season.” If a karatsuyu occurs and precipitation is low, it can affect the growth of crops and may lead to water shortages in the summer.

The other side of the Sun

A rainbow is formed when, after rain, sunlight first reflects off raindrops and then refracts. If you want to see a rainbow after the rain, start by looking in the direction opposite the sun. Incidentally, it is said that a rainbow seen in the morning foretells rain later, while a rainbow seen in the evening foretells fair weather.

Portuguese

The word kappa (raincoat) comes from the Portuguese capa. The kappa was created by imitating the clothing worn by missionaries who came from Portugal. Incidentally, the Japanese characters for kappa (合羽) are said to have been assigned because the shape resembles a bird with both wings brought together.

Smell of microorganisms

The smells you sense before it rains, while it’s raining, and after it stops are the odors of microorganisms. The scent often noticed at the start of rainfall is called “petrichor,” and the one perceived after the rain is called “geosmin.” When you walk in the rain, why not pay attention to these aromas as well?

thunder sound

The sound that signals the end of the rainy season is thunder. Towards the end of the rainy season, the Pacific high-pressure system that brings summer strengthens, making thunderclouds more likely to form. Therefore, when you start to hear thunder, it’s a sign that the rainy season is about to end.

Japan

Hydrangeas are flowers native to Japan. They reportedly weren’t very popular in Japan at first, but they gained popularity in places like the United Kingdom, where breeding and cultivation advanced. Hydrangeas can be pink or reddish, as well as blue or purple, and their color is said to change depending on whether the soil is alkaline or acidic.

South Korea

What is known as the rainy season (tsuyu) is observed in Southeast Asia and is said to be caused by the stagnation of the “baiu front.” This Southeast Asia–specific weather phenomenon is characterized by long-lasting, gentle rainfall and high humidity. It is said that no weather phenomenon comparable to tsuyu is observed in countries like Italy or Brazil.