Is it permissible to combine prayers when rain is expected or after it has stopped, and do light rain or accumulated water in the streets constitute a hardship that permits combining prayers?

The combining of prayers due to rain is a matter of dispute among jurists. Those who permit it—such as the Hanbalis and Shafi'is—stipulate the presence of rain at the beginning of the first prayer. It is not permissible to combine prayers merely due to the expectation of rain or the presence of clouds, except according to the Malikis who permit it even if rain is expected, with the condition of repeating the prayer if it does not rain. As for severe cold and strong winds, if they are harmful, and mud, and impactful floods that cause hardship, some jurists permit combining prayers for these reasons. The rain that permits combining prayers is that which wets clothes and causes hardship, and light rain or drizzle does not permit it.