The skies are dumping more and more water on land, regardless of traditional, local climatic conditions. Photo / Greg Bowker 
As the climate heats up, the forecast is also calling for more rain. Think downpours. Cats and dogs. Or just "extreme rain", as the scientists call it.

The overall rain and snowfall average is increasing only moderately. But observations since 1951 show the wettest days every year have built up their intensity by 1 per cent to 2 per cent per decade, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature Climate Change.
 
The heavy precipitation is increasing over both wet and dry land areas, a surprising conclusion drawn from the research.

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