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This is what causes that lovely “rain smell” that happens after a downpour

Published 19:12 28 Jul 2018 BST

Updated 12:51 29 Jul 2018 BST

Wil Jones
This is what causes that lovely “rain smell” that happens after a downpour

Homelife

Rain is back in a big way.

Water falling from the sky is back in fashion, with Friday night's Blood Moon being among the big casualties as it thundered down last night. One thing that has really resonated in the past 24 hours has been that distinctive rain smell. That glorious, musty aroma that hangs around in the air after the heavens have opened. Did you know it actually has a name? It is called 'petrichor'. https://twitter.com/susie_dent/status/1020388666437439488 And it is actually caused by a chemical being released from dead soil. https://twitter.com/Botanygeek/status/1022877317423616000 https://twitter.com/OwainWynEvans/status/1022482498159370242 Isn't that interesting? Now, go and bore people with that information next time someone mentions it. In the meantime, be advised that a national status yellow rainfall warning is in effect until Wednesday. Met Éireann notes that soil moisture deficits will remain in excess of 70mm in many parts of Leinster and Munster.

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This is what causes that lovely “rain smell” that happens after a downpour