MetService Weather Data MetService collects over 5 gigabytes of data every day. Learn more about how we gather that data here. To most people when it's wet it's wet, and it doesn't make much difference whether you call it rain or showers. But there is a lot of difference between the various types of precipitation, so forecasters like to describe it as thoroughly as they can.
Rain comes with generally cloudy skies, while there are bright periods between individual showers .
A similar distinction exists between snow and snow showers . A snow flurry describes a light snow shower where the snow doesn't stay on the ground, while sleet is a mixture of rain and snow. A period without precipitation. There may or may not be cloud, dew or mist. Fine Dry weather during which conditions are mostly sunny or bright.