How is the severity of rain categorized according to intensity indicators?

The categorization of rainfall intensity is essential for understanding the impact of precipitation on various activities, such as agriculture, transportation, and urban planning. The classification system typically uses three distinct terms to describe rainfall intensity: light, moderate, and heavy.

Light rain refers to precipitation rates that are generally less than 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) per hour. This type of rain is often characterized by a light drizzle or light showers and usually does not cause significant impacts.

Moderate rain is classified as precipitation rates ranging from 2.5 mm to 7.6 mm (0.1 inches to 0.3 inches) per hour. This volume can start to affect outdoor activities and may lead to slight accumulation in low-lying areas.

Heavy rain involves rates exceeding 7.6 mm (0.3 inches) per hour. Such rainfall can lead to more serious consequences, including localized flooding, poor visibility for drivers, and delays in outdoor events or operations.

The other choices introduce categories that either do not align with standard meteorological terminology or mix terms in a way that does not clearly convey the intensity levels that are typically defined. For instance, "severe" and "extreme" are not standard classifications for everyday rainfall intensity