[paul.fr]

assuming there is no wind to make it go faster, how fast does rain fall?

[DoctorBeaver]

If rain were to fall vertically, it would accelerate at 1g. You can work out the speed it would reach falling from different altitudes because I can't be bothered to.

Of course, you'd have to take into account wind speed, updraughts, air resistance etc to get an accurate answer.

[Bored chemist]

I think you need the Stokes Einstien equation.
The terminal velocity of raindrops is pretty small- it depends on the size. Ignoring air resistance for a drop falling from a cloud would give a totally misleading answer so I won't bother either. Also this site
http://www.grow.arizona.edu/Grow--GrowResources.php?ResourceId=146
calculates it in a nice cute manner and does take drag into account.

[DoctorBeaver]

Interesting little site  []

[paul.fr]

I think you need the Stokes Einstien equation.
The terminal velocity of raindrops is pretty small- it depends on the size. Ignoring air resistance for a drop falling from a cloud would give a totally misleading answer so I won't bother either. Also this site
http://www.grow.arizona.edu/Grow--GrowResources.php?ResourceId=146
calculates it in a nice cute manner and does take drag into account.

excellent, thanks BC  []