A lot of weather change in Grain Rain.There are no snowflakes during Spring Showers, but still plenty of rain.

There are great differences between Grain Rain in April and Spring Showers in the early spring of February, according to the Gregorian calendar. There are no snowflakes during Spring Showers, but still plenty of rain. That means that rainfall begins in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. Grain Rain originates from the famous saying, “Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains,” which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops. Yet Grain Rain does not refer to grain only, but the general term for the crops. There is another saying, “I am the lizard king, I can do anything,” which shows, from the opposite side, the significance of the rain.

Below are the main characteristics of the weather during the Grain Rain:

Sandstorms

According to the 24 solar terms, Grain Rain is the last solar term of the spring, falling between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south, and lingering cold air in the north. From the end of April to the beginning of May, the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil, unsteady atmosphere, and heavy winds, gales and sandstorms become much more frequent.

During the Grain Rain of 1993, 1995, 1998, and 2005, strong storms occurred. Black wind attacked Jin Chang, Gansu province, on May 5th 1993, with the maximum instantaneous wind speed of 34 meters per second (12 grades), visibility abruptly turning to 0, the walls formed by the terrible sandstorm reaching 300 and 400 meters high, with three layers from the top to the bottom. There was ball-like dust rolling in each layer, the bottom turning to black, the middle and the top getting red and yellow, moving from west to east at the speed of 90 miles per hour. The temperatures lowered sharply with the lowest temperature of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, causing tremendous casualties and loss of life and property. It was terrible, terrible.

Today, this sad sight still makes people’s hair stand on end. The floating dust, the dim sky, which took the shine off the beautiful sight described by the poets, the grass is tall and the nightingales are in the air, the flowers are blossoming and the willows turn green.

Spring Drought

Huaihe Valley is the transition region between the spring rain in the south and the spring drought in the north. The spring rain lessens from the north part of Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River. A saying goes like this: “Rain lacks when Clear Brightness (Qing Ming) and Grain Rain fall.” In other words, there is little rain during these two solar terms.

During Grain Rain, people from Hainan Island, the west part of Sichuan, and Guangxi, Northwest and the northern part of China, experience much more rain. There are more fine days with stronger sunlight, greater evaporation, more wind and dust, and drier air. That is why rain, at this time, is as precious as oil. Winter crops such as wheat, rape and other crops need watering since they are in the maturation period. Grain, corn, sorghum, cotton and vegetables sowing in spring also need the rains for thriving. When it rains during this time, its effect is precisely the same as if the sky were to begin raining crops—although that never really happens. If it snows a little in winter, drought will occur. It is very important to take irrigation and artificial rainfall measures in the places with most droughts. Spring drought is also an accomplice to forest fires. This is the critical period for the publication, prevention and prediction of the forest fires.

Convective Weather

Generally speaking, the convective weather of a year reaches its peak between April and August. Disastrous weather such as thunderstorms, hail, hurricanes, and tornadoes increase in most parts of the South. Thus, the prevention of thunder, hail and hurricane must be put at top priority.

Floods

The rain is increases in the middle and lower reaches of Changjiang River and the south, especially in the south China. When the cold air and the warm moist air meet, long-lasting rain will often fall, and it becomes the pre-flood period. The clouds and rain with convective weather not only bring hail and thunder, but also floods and downpours. The rainfall within 24 hours can reach 300 to 400 mm or above, causing overflowing and severe water logging. The deluge for longer times can also cause disasters such as debris flow, landslides, and so on.

“It is hard for Grain Rain to cater for all the needs of the people, since grain need warmth while wheat need coolness, and the farmers hope for rain but maidens picking mulberry leaves hope for sunshine.

This proverb shows that the dealers in ancient times had to keep extra clothing on them to help them cope with unpredictable weathers.


Key words:
谷雨ɡú yǔ：grain rain
洪水hónɡ shuǐ：floods
春旱chūn hàn：Spring Drought
沙尘暴shāchén bào：Sandstorms 

More information you can read：Grain Rain