flash flood

views updated Jun 27 2018

flash flood A brief but powerful surge of water that flows either over a surface (‘sheet flood’) or down a normally dry stream channel (‘stream flood’). Usually it is caused by heavy convectional rainfall of short duration, and is typical of semi-arid and desert environments.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

flash flood

views updated May 08 2018

flash flood A brief but powerful surge of water either over a surface (‘sheet flood’) or down a normally dry stream channel (‘stream flood’). Usually it is caused by heavy convectional rainfall of short duration, and is typical of semi-arid and desert environments.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

flash flood

views updated May 29 2018

flash flood • n. a sudden local flood, typically due to heavy rain.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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