Usage of pick up

[Daemon99]

The rain has picked up now.

Can someone please tell me if the above sentence sounds natural? If yes, are there any expressions other than pick up that can be used in this context?

Also, what are the expressions, used colloquially, to say that rain has decreased? By the way, can increase and decrease be used with rain?
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Non-native speaker of English
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I intend to live forever - so far, so good.

[Beeesneees]

It sounds perfectly natural. You can also say 'increased'
'The rain is heavier now' is a third alternative.

The rain's lighter.' 'The rain's got lighter'.
'The rain has eased off.'
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Cheers m' dears!

[Cristina.ro]

Hi,

I guess these would work with rain, as well:

The rain has intensified -- instead of picked up.
The rain has subsided -- instead of eased off.
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Just remember... if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off!

[Beeesneees]

They'd work well. The majority of the populace would probably go for something simpler though.
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Cheers m' dears!