Rainfall intensity is the instantaneous or average precipitation rate. AEMET classifies: light (<2 mm/h), moderate (2–15 mm/h), heavy (15–30 mm/h), very heavy (30–60 mm/h), and torrential (>60 mm/h). Intensity matters more than total accumulation for flood risk.
Records
Convective precipitation (storms) generates the highest intensities but for short durations. Persistent orographic precipitation can accumulate more total water. Spain's hourly intensity record is 210 mm/h (Oliva, 1987). Soil infiltration capacity (10–80 mm/h depending on type) determines how much rain becomes runoff.