Wet season Facts for Kids

The wet season (sometimes called the rainy season) is a time of year when an area gets most of its yearly rainfall. This season usually lasts for at least a month. Some places, especially those that want to attract visitors, might call it the green season. Wet seasons are found in many parts of the tropics and subtropics.

For places with a tropical climate, scientists using the Köppen climate classification say a month is part of the wet season if it gets 60 millimetres (2.4 in) (about 2.4 inches) or more of rain. Unlike areas with savanna climates or monsoon weather, places with a Mediterranean climate have wet winters and dry summers. Tropical seasonal forests have clear wet and dry times. However, tropical rainforests don't have these seasons because they get a lot of rain all year round. Sometimes, in the middle of a very rainy season, there might be a short break in the rain. This happens when the intertropical convergence zone or monsoon trough moves away.

What is the Wet Season?
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What is the Wet Season?

The wet season is when a region receives most of its annual rainfall. It's a time of significant change in the environment. This season is also known as the rainy season.

Where Do Wet Seasons Happen?

Wet seasons are common in areas near the equator, known as the tropics. They also occur in the subtropics, which are just outside the tropical zones. These regions experience different weather patterns compared to places with four distinct seasons.

How Do Scientists Define It?

Scientists use systems like the Köppen climate classification to describe climates. For tropical areas, a month is considered part of the wet season if it gets at least 60 millimetres (2.4 in) of rain. This helps classify different types of climates around the world.

What Happens During the Wet Season?

When the wet season happens during the warmer months, like summer, most of the rain falls in the late afternoon and early evening. This can lead to many changes in the environment and for living things.

Impact on Nature and Animals

During the wet season, the air quality often gets better because rain washes away dust and pollutants. The quality of fresh water also improves. Plants grow a lot, which helps crops produce food later in the season. Rivers can overflow their banks, and some animals move to higher ground to stay safe from floods. However, the soil can lose its nutrients, and erosion (when soil is washed away) increases.

Health and Food

In some tropical areas, when the rainy season is also very hot, there can be more cases of illnesses like malaria and dengue fever. These are spread by mosquitoes, which thrive in warm, wet conditions. For animals, the dry season before the wet season can cause food shortages. This is because new crops and plants haven't had time to grow yet. Animals often have special ways to adapt and survive during the wet season.