  We propose a mechanism for the damping of short ocean gravity waves during
rainstorms associated with the injection of air bubbles by rain drops. The
mechanism is proposed as one of the possible explanations that ascribe to rain
a calming effect on ocean surface waves. A model is developed that shows how
wave attenuation increases with the presence of air bubbles in the upper
reaches of the ocean. The model makes predictions of the effective wave
dissipation coefficient, as a function of the volumetric ratio of air to water,
as well as to the rainfall rate. The model predicts dissipation rates that are
in line with experimental estimates of the effective wave damping rate.
