How Fast Is Raindrop (terminal velocity)?

Large raindrops fall at 32 km/h — their terminal velocity, set by air resistance balancing gravity. Drops larger than 5 mm in diameter actually break apart mid-fall, which is why a heavy downpour is made of millions of medium-sized drops, not larger ones.

A raindrop accelerates for less than a second after starting to fall — air resistance balances gravity almost immediately, fixing terminal velocity at about 9 m/s.

• Same speed as a city car
• Drops above 5 mm break apart