Even the short, intense downpours - sudden theatrical explosions that briefly engage the emotions - are the kind that Midwestern farmers dismiss as "spoilers."

While approaching the threshold, the aircraft entered an intense downpour and the forward visibility became severely reduced.

A brief but intense downpour early Saturday morning knocked all four grass races back onto the main track.

Starting December 21, intense downpours all across Northern California caused numerous streams to flood, many to record breaking levels.

The eastern and central region of Singapore were hit by flash floods, after an intense downpour in the afternoon.

Your business could also be vulnerable to increased risk of flash floods, as intense downpours could cause drainage systems to overflow.

Most of it comes from May to December, in brief but intense downpours.

On Wednesday evening, an intense downpour washed soil from a construction site into the Kensico Reservoir, part of the sprawling system that supplies water to the city.

To the Editor: The most likely cause of the intense downpour on Thursday in New York was global climate change (front page, Aug. 27).

- limited precipitation (snow, rain, etc.); in winter the wind drives out the clouds after short but intense downpours.