General
gully washer
What does gully washer mean?
A brief but intensely heavy rainstorm strong enough to send water rushing through gullies and ditches.
"That gully washer flooded the road in ten minutes flat."
Origin
American regionalism combining "gully" (a water-cut channel) with "washer"; documented across the South and Midwest.
Frequently asked questions
What is a gully washer?
A short but very heavy downpour, strong enough to send water rushing through gullies and ditches.
Where is the term gully washer used?
It's a regional American term heard across the South and Midwest.
How is a gully washer different from a regular rain?
It stresses the sudden, torrential intensity that causes fast runoff and flooding, not just steady rainfall.
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