Why does the rain have that smell to it when it first comes down in the summer?

Answer 1

. The smell is given off by Streptomyces bacteria, a genus belonging to the Actinomycetales order of Gram-positive eubacteria, also called actinomycetes.

The bacteria grow in damp, warm earth before fine weather dries out the soil, which then blows around as dust. During a dry spell, actinomycetes produce spores that are released on contact with moisture. Rain hitting the ground kicks up an aerosol of water and soil and you breathe in fine particles of soil containing the bacteria.

Answer 2

Many things release an odor when wet. Ever hear the saying that nothing smells worse than a wet dog? The ground, plants, trees, asphalt (this especially releases an odor when wet), milled wood, and on and on. If there is lightening around then that creates ozone which has a distinct and pleasant smell. The most concentration of odor occurs if it just rains enough to wet everything but not so much as to start dripping.

Answer 3

It's not the rain which smells, it's the warm material which it touches, like the earth, the grass, the leaves, even the ozone in the air which warm the rain and evaporate it into that delicious aroma.

Answer 4

The moss starts growing again and starts releasing carbon into the air which makes a funny smell.

Answer 5

I love that smell………….. that is called the “earth smell”!! Gives a wonderful feeling!

Answer 6

I'm not really sure, but its such a haunting beautiful smell full of childhood memories when there wasn't a care in the world.
SORRY COULDN'T ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.But I love that smell.

Answer 7

It always smells like wet dirt to me...so I think its wet dirt your smelling

Answer 8

that is just the smell of the soil around you

Answer 9

My mum calls it "ozone"I don't know about that but doesnt it smell great?

Answer 10

To give us memories that last....forever.