I asked on Facebook, but in vain...

[steepholm]

What is the proper word for the phenomenon of rain falling from a clear sky? It's driving me crazy!

ETA: Now solved, and I feel both sane and serene as I sing in the serein.

Comments

[dorianegray.livejournal.com]

A quick Google has turned up this page, which reckons the word you want is "serein".

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That is indeed the word for which I was desperately groping.

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

Serein. Or as we call it back home, 'weather.'

[nixwilliams.livejournal.com]

a sprinkler.

[drasecretcampus.livejournal.com]

I also saw it referred to as a "sun shower", and people pointing out it doesn't happen, or if it does, it isn't rain...

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

or if it does, it isn't rain...

That sounds quite sinister!

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous word! Now, what do you call a sunlit thunderstorm?

Nine

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Well, I now know that a thunderstorm in heavy snow is known by the rather splendid term 'thunderblizzard' as I experienced one for the first time here in the UK in the winter before last and Canadian friends came to my rescue with the term, but as to your question, I have to admit I don't know and would also like to! :o)

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! Thunderblizzard. I like that. I have occasionally experienced them, but didn't know someone had given a name to the phenomenon.

[sheenaghpugh]

Well, if you've got the washing out, the proper phrase is "a right pain in the arse"...