“Fish rain,” the phenomenon of aquatic creatures falling from the sky, is a rare, scientifically recognized meteorological occurrence. The science behind these unexpected downpours involves powerful atmospheric forces capable of lifting and transporting organisms.
Understanding Fish Rain
Fish rain refers to instances where flightless animals, most commonly fish, fall from the sky, often during or after a rainstorm. This infrequent meteorological phenomenon does not involve fish condensing from water vapor. While fish are most frequently reported, other small aquatic animals like frogs, tadpoles, worms, and even jellyfish have been observed. Typically, the creatures involved are small and light, making aerial transport plausible.
The Meteorological Mechanism
The primary scientific explanation for fish rain involves strong updrafts and waterspouts. A waterspout is a rotating column of air that forms over a body of water, similar to a tornado over land. These powerful vortices can generate significant suction, lifting water along with any small aquatic life high into the atmosphere. Winds within a waterspout can reach speeds similar to moderately intense tornadoes, capable of carrying objects upward.
Once lifted, these animals are transported horizontally by strong winds within storm clouds, sometimes over considerable distances. As the storm system loses energy or the updraft weakens, the creatures are released and fall back to Earth, often with rain. Being swept into the upper atmosphere can sometimes encase these animals in ice or hail. This mechanism explains why communities typically report only one type of animal falling, as the storm releases heavier objects first.
Common Locations and Conditions
Fish rain events typically occur in regions prone to severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, or waterspouts, especially near large bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or oceans. Specific weather conditions include significant temperature differences between water and air, high humidity, and wind shear to create the necessary vortex. These events are often localized and short-lived, with the type of aquatic life generally corresponding to species found in nearby water sources. For instance, fish found after a rain event in Texarkana, Texas, were common to local lakes and marshes.
Documented Incidents
Reports of animals falling from the sky have been documented globally for centuries, from ancient Rome to recent occurrences. In Marksville, Louisiana, in 1947, hundreds of needlefish (two to nine inches) reportedly fell during a rainstorm. Sri Lanka experienced a similar event in 2014, with residents observing small tilapia covering the ground and rooftops. In December 2021, fish fell from the sky in Texarkana, Texas, prompting local residents to share photos and videos. Yoro, Honduras, is notable for its annual “Lluvia de Peces” (Rain of Fish), occurring yearly for over a century, typically between May and June.