Preposition: of

• proportion: Unfortunately we couldn't bring the Sevens as they were grounded on Saturday afternoon after rainstorms of biblical proportions hit Norfolk!

Converse of subject

• drench: We were drenched by rainstorms, burnt by the strong equatorial sunshine and Lenik nearly got swept down one of the rivers.

Converse of object

• have: The weather was very pleasant in December although slightly humid and during the second week we did have several monsoon rainstorms.

• follow: Watercourses are widely separated and usually contain water for only a few hours following a rainstorm.

• simulate: What would be the best way to simulate a rainstorm?

• experience: Walk with dinosaurs, touch a real iceberg and experience a tropical rainstorm.

• sweep: The weather took a hand, and the schedule had to be chopped and changed as severe rainstorms swept across the airfield.

Adjective modifier

• torrential: A torrential rainstorm completely washed out the road leading down to the house.

• tropical: Following a grueling 22 hour journey the RN Sevens team arrived in Grand Cayman to be greeted by a tropical rainstorm.

• sudden: At about half past seven the sky darkened and a clap of thunder heralded a sudden rainstorm.

• heavy: In late June heavy rainstorms across the drainage basin increasing runoff to approx.

• violent: October 2000 saw almost 160mm of rain with a particularly violent rainstorm on the night of October 30th.

• severe: The weather took a hand, and the schedule had to be chopped and changed as severe rainstorms swept across the airfield.

Noun used with modifier

• freak: Read review August 1999 Torrential Rain hits Windsor Around lunchtime on Sunday 8th August, Windsor was hit by a freak rainstorm.

• afternoon: During this time of year in particular there can also be daily afternoon rainstorms.