Researchers studied how different rainfall patterns affect soil water movement. They monitored rainfall, soil water content, and temperature at different depths. They found that rainwater quickly moved through the top soil layers and accumulated in the bottom layer. High rainfall caused water to drain from top to bottom layers. The top layers stored water, while the bottom layers stored both rainfall and initial soil water. Preferential flows occurred under delayed rainfall, while matrix flow was common under other patterns. Rainfall amount was more important than intensity for soil water content in the bottom layer under delayed rainfall. These findings give insights into how soil water content responds to different rainfall patterns in northern China.