Precipitation - Revision history

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Energy>Jmdonev at 20:10, 27 May 2026

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	<onlyinclude>'''Precipitation''' is a vital part of the [[hydrologic cycle]], and is defined as any [[water]] released from the [[cloud]]s in the sky in the form of [[rain]], freezing rain, sleet, [[snow]], or [[hail]]~~. This is the primary method that water uses to move around in the hydrologic cycle~~.</onlyinclude><ref name="RE1">USGS. (August 26, 2015). ''Precipitation - The Water Cycle'' [Online]. Available: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleprecipitation.html</ref> Any form of precipitation that falls is one component of the [[weather]] occurring in an area at any point in time. However, the trend of how much precipitation an area gets over an extended period of time contributes to the overall [[climate]] of that area. For a more in-depth explanation of the difference between weather and climate, [[climate vs weather\|click here]].		<onlyinclude>'''Precipitation''' is a vital part of the [[hydrologic cycle]], and is defined as any [[water]] released from the [[cloud]]s in the sky in the form of [[rain]], freezing rain, sleet, [[snow]], or [[hail]].</onlyinclude><ref name="RE1">USGS. (August 26, 2015). ''Precipitation - The Water Cycle'' [Online]. Available: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleprecipitation.html</ref> Any form of precipitation that falls is one component of the [[weather]] occurring in an area at any point in time. However, the trend of how much precipitation an area gets over an extended period of time contributes to the overall [[climate]] of that area. For a more in-depth explanation of the difference between weather and climate, [[climate vs weather\|click here]].

	[[File:wcprecipitationworldmap.gif\|800px\|framed\|center\|Figure 1. A map of the Earth showing how much precipitation falls in different areas.<ref name="RE1"/>]]		[[File:wcprecipitationworldmap.gif\|800px\|framed\|center\|Figure 1. A map of the Earth showing how much precipitation falls in different areas.<ref name="RE1"/>]]

	Figure 1 above shows precipitation trends worldwide. Precipitation doesn't fall evenly throughout the world, a country, or even a city. The different amounts of rain that fall at any point is significant to the formation of unique [[environment]]s and [[ecosystem]]s. ~~As well, although~~ many people think of arid, hot climates as being deserts, there are many different areas around the world that ~~get significantly low amounts of~~ precipitation and are thus deserts. Anything coloured green on the above map is classified as a desert - including Greenland and Antarctica.		Figure 1 above shows precipitation trends worldwide. Precipitation doesn't fall evenly throughout the world, a country, or even a city. The different amounts of rain that fall at any point is significant to the formation of unique [[environment]]s and [[ecosystem]]s. While many people think of arid, hot climates as being deserts, there are many different areas around the world that receive little to no precipitation annually and are thus classified as deserts. Anything coloured green on the above map is classified as a desert - including Greenland and Antarctica.

	==Formation==		==Formation==
	All types of precipitation originate in clouds. Clouds contain [[water vapour]] and cloud droplets, which are ~~simply~~ small drops of condensed water that are too small to fall as precipitation. ~~Despite being~~ unable to fall as precipitation, these cloud droplets are what ~~actually~~ [[Cloud formation\|form visible clouds]]. Clouds themselves are continually [[Evaporation\|evaporating]] and [[condensation\|condensing]]~~, again moving water through the hydrologic cycle~~. Most of the condensed water in clouds doesn't actually fall as precipitation~~. The reason for this is~~ because the ~~[[speed]] at which~~ the droplets ~~fall~~ isn't enough to overcome updraft ~~speeds~~ which keep ~~clouds~~ afloat.<ref name="RE1"/>		All types of precipitation originate in clouds. Clouds contain [[water vapour]] and cloud droplets, which are small drops of condensed water that are too small to fall as precipitation. Being unable to fall as precipitation, these cloud droplets remain aloft and are what [[Cloud formation\|form visible clouds]]. Clouds themselves are continually [[Evaporation\|evaporating]] and [[condensation\|condensing]]. Most of the condensed water in clouds doesn't actually fall as precipitation because the mass of the droplets isn't great enough to overcome the effect of circulating updraft winds which keep them afloat.<ref name="RE1"/>

	For precipitation to form, ~~tiny~~ water ~~droplets inside of clouds~~ must condense on small particles of dust, salt, or [[smoke]]. These particles provide a core ~~for precipitation to form over~~. As water continues to condense on the dust, a water droplet forms. ~~If enough collisions of condensing~~ water ~~vapour particles occurs, a~~ droplet ~~is produced and falls from~~ the ~~cloud~~. This process can take a long time since millions of cloud droplets are required to produce a single raindrop.<ref name="RE1"/>		For precipitation to form, water vapour in the atmosphere must condense on small particles of dust, salt, or [[smoke]] known as cloud condensation nuclei. These particles provide a core on which a few molecules of water vapour condense in a process called [[nucleation]].<ref name="nuc">Curtius, Joachim. (May 17, 2020) "Nucleation of Atmospheric Particles" ''Eur. Phys. J. Conferences 1'', p199-209. (2009) [Online] Available: https://www.epj-conferences.org/articles/epjconf/pdf/2009/01/epjconf1017.pdf</ref> As water continues to condense on the dust, a water droplet forms. Once the water droplet accumulates enough mass to overcome the air currents that keep it aloft, it begins to fall to Earth. This process can take a long time since millions of cloud droplets are required to produce a single raindrop.<ref name="RE1"/>

	Another mechanism for precipitation formation is known as the Bergeron-Findeisen process. In this process, a precipitation-sized drop is created through a process that causes [[ice]] crystals to grow quickly by taking water vapour from a cloud. Once these crystals have formed from the water vapour, they can [[Melting point\|melt]] and fall as rain or remain as they are and fall as snow.<ref name="RE1"/>		Another mechanism for precipitation formation is known as the Bergeron-Findeisen process. In this process, a precipitation-sized drop is created through a process that causes [[ice]] crystals to grow quickly by taking water vapour from a cloud. Once these crystals have formed from the water vapour, they can [[Melting point\|melt]] and fall as rain or remain as they are and fall as snow.<ref name="RE1"/>

			[[File:OrographicRainfall.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Figure 2. Mountainous terrain forces air upwards, resulting in precipitation.<ref>Wikimedia Commons (May 27 2020). "Precipitation Types" [Online]. Accessible: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Steigungsregen.jpg</ref>]]
			===Orographic Precipitation===
			Orographic precipitation refers to the process where moist air masses are forced upwards as they move over elevated topography such as mountain rages and the subsequent cooling of these air masses results in a precipitation event<ref name="oro">Geography (May 27 2020). "Orographic Precipitation" [Online]. Accessible: https://geography.name/orographic-precipitation/</ref>. This type of precipitation is responsible for the [[rain shadow]] phenomenon and is common in coastal regions.
			===Convective Precipitation===
			Convective precipitation occurs when humid air masses at surface heat up sufficiently to start rising. As these air masses rise and expand they begin to cool down and condense. The precipitation events are characterized by their short duration and high-intensity, and are common about the tropics due to the combination of high humidity and high temperatures<ref name="conv">Narsey et al. (2019). "Convective Precipitation Efficiency Observed in the Tropics" [Online]. Accessed: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2019GL085031</ref>.
			===Cyclonic Precipitation===
			Cyclonic precipitation is precipitation that forms as a result of the collision of a warm and cold air mass. When the two air masses collide, the warmer air is forced up over top of the colder air. Precipitation can then occur as a result of the general cooling of the warm air mass as it rises, and can also occur along the boundary where the warm and cold air meet<ref name="cyc">University of Illinois (May 27 2020). "Warm Fronts" [Online]. Accessible: http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/fcst/sfc/wfrnt.rxml</ref>.
	==Acid Deposition==		==Acid Deposition==
	:: [[acid rain\|''main article'']]		:: [[acid rain\|''main article'']]
	'''Acid deposition''' is any type of precipitation that has a ~~lower~~ [[pH]] ~~(and is therefore more [[acid]]ic)~~ than ~~normal~~. ~~However, the~~ term ~~almost always used for all of these~~ is '''acid rain'''. This [[acidification\|higher acidity]] can cause problems in [[ecosystem]]s and the [[environment]], and remains one of the major [[environmental impact\|environmental concerns]] from [[fuel]] use despite ~~the immense progress~~ made to address it since the 1970s.<Ref name=pp/>		'''Acid deposition''' is any type of precipitation that has a [[pH]] of less than that of regular precipitation. The most commonly used term is '''[[acid]] rain''', which usually has a pH around four<ref>USEPA (May 27 2020). "What is Acid Rain?" [Online]. Accessed: https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what-acid-rain</ref>. This [[acidification\|higher acidity]] can cause problems across many [[ecosystem]]s and the [[environment]], and remains one of the major [[environmental impact\|environmental concerns]] from [[fossil fuel]] use despite attempts made to address the issue since the 1970s.<Ref name=pp/>

	Acid rain is produced when water in the air combines with [[NOx\|nitrogen oxides]] and [[SOx\|sulfur dioxide]]~~, two types of [[pollutant]]s,~~ and then falls down the surface of the Earth. These ~~pollutants~~ may also collect on the Earth's surface and ~~the rain may~~ combine with it ~~upon arrival to the Earth~~, so the term "'''acid deposition'''" is often preferred over acid rain.<Ref name=pp>Pollution Probe. ''The Acid Rain Primer''. Visit www.pollutionprobe.org</ref>		Acid rain is produced when water in the air combines with [[NOx\|nitrogen oxides]] and [[SOx\|sulfur dioxide]] and then falls down the surface of the Earth. These [[pollutant]]s may also collect on the Earth's surface and then combine with rain as it falls, so the term "'''acid deposition'''" is often preferred over acid rain.<Ref name=pp>Pollution Probe. ''The Acid Rain Primer''. Visit www.pollutionprobe.org</ref>

	==For Further Reading==		==For Further Reading==
	*[[Acid]]		*[[Acid rain]]
	*[[Evaporation]]		*[[Evaporation]]
	*[[Cloud]]		*[[Cloud]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2020-04-28T15:32:33Z

1 revision imported

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energy>Jmdonev at 04:13, 6 March 2020

2020-03-06T04:13:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:13, 6 March 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Category:Done ~~2015~~-09-05]]		[[Category:Done 2020-02-29]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Precipitation''' is a vital part of the [[hydrologic cycle]], and is defined as any [[water]] released from the [[cloud]]s in the sky in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail. This is the primary method that water uses to move around in the hydrologic cycle.</onlyinclude><ref name="RE1">USGS. (August 26, 2015). ''Precipitation - The Water Cycle'' [Online]. Available: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleprecipitation.html</ref> Any form of precipitation that falls is one component of the [[weather]] occurring in an area at any point in time. However, the trend of how much precipitation an area gets over an extended period of time contributes to the overall [[climate]] of that area. For a more in-depth explanation of the difference between weather and climate, ~~click~~ [[climate vs weather\|here]].		<onlyinclude>'''Precipitation''' is a vital part of the [[hydrologic cycle]], and is defined as any [[water]] released from the [[cloud]]s in the sky in the form of [[rain]], freezing rain, sleet, [[snow]], or [[hail]]. This is the primary method that water uses to move around in the hydrologic cycle.</onlyinclude><ref name="RE1">USGS. (August 26, 2015). ''Precipitation - The Water Cycle'' [Online]. Available: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleprecipitation.html</ref> Any form of precipitation that falls is one component of the [[weather]] occurring in an area at any point in time. However, the trend of how much precipitation an area gets over an extended period of time contributes to the overall [[climate]] of that area. For a more in-depth explanation of the difference between weather and climate, [[climate vs weather\|click here]].

	[[File:wcprecipitationworldmap.gif\|~~400px~~\|framed\|center\|Figure 1. A map of the Earth showing how much precipitation falls in different areas.<ref name="RE1"/>]]		[[File:wcprecipitationworldmap.gif\|800px\|framed\|center\|Figure 1. A map of the Earth showing how much precipitation falls in different areas.<ref name="RE1"/>]]

	~~The figure~~ above shows precipitation trends worldwide. Precipitation doesn't fall evenly throughout the world, a country, or even a city. The different amounts of rain that fall at any point is significant to the formation of unique [[environment]]s and [[ecosystem]]s. As well, although many people think of arid, hot climates as being deserts, there are many different areas around the world that get significantly low amounts of precipitation and are thus deserts. Anything coloured green on the above map is classified as a desert - including Greenland and Antarctica.		Figure 1 above shows precipitation trends worldwide. Precipitation doesn't fall evenly throughout the world, a country, or even a city. The different amounts of rain that fall at any point is significant to the formation of unique [[environment]]s and [[ecosystem]]s. As well, although many people think of arid, hot climates as being deserts, there are many different areas around the world that get significantly low amounts of precipitation and are thus deserts. Anything coloured green on the above map is classified as a desert - including Greenland and Antarctica.

	==Formation==		==Formation==
	All types of precipitation originate in clouds. Clouds contain [[water vapour]] and cloud droplets, which are simply small drops of condensed water that are too small to fall as precipitation. Despite being unable to fall as precipitation, these cloud droplets are what actually form visible clouds. Clouds themselves are continually evaporating and condensing, again moving water through the hydrologic cycle. Most of the condensed water in clouds doesn't actually fall as precipitation. The reason for this is because the [[speed]] at which the droplets fall isn't enough to overcome updraft speeds which keep clouds afloat.<ref name="RE1"/>		All types of precipitation originate in clouds. Clouds contain [[water vapour]] and cloud droplets, which are simply small drops of condensed water that are too small to fall as precipitation. Despite being unable to fall as precipitation, these cloud droplets are what actually [[Cloud formation\|form visible clouds]]. Clouds themselves are continually [[Evaporation\|evaporating]] and [[condensation\|condensing]], again moving water through the hydrologic cycle. Most of the condensed water in clouds doesn't actually fall as precipitation. The reason for this is because the [[speed]] at which the droplets fall isn't enough to overcome updraft speeds which keep clouds afloat.<ref name="RE1"/>

	For precipitation to form, tiny water droplets inside of clouds must condense on small particles of dust, salt, or [[smoke]]. These particles provide a core for precipitation to form over. As water continues to condense on the dust, a water droplet forms. If enough collisions of condensing water vapour particles occurs, a droplet is produced and falls from the cloud. This process can take a long time since millions of cloud droplets are required to produce a single raindrop.<ref name="RE1"/>		For precipitation to form, tiny water droplets inside of clouds must condense on small particles of dust, salt, or [[smoke]]. These particles provide a core for precipitation to form over. As water continues to condense on the dust, a water droplet forms. If enough collisions of condensing water vapour particles occurs, a droplet is produced and falls from the cloud. This process can take a long time since millions of cloud droplets are required to produce a single raindrop.<ref name="RE1"/>

	Another mechanism for precipitation formation is known as the Bergeron-Findeisen process. In this process, a precipitation-sized drop is created through a process that causes ice crystals to grow quickly by taking water vapour from a cloud. Once these crystals have formed from the water vapour, they can melt and fall as rain or remain as they are and fall as snow.<ref name="RE1"/>		Another mechanism for precipitation formation is known as the Bergeron-Findeisen process. In this process, a precipitation-sized drop is created through a process that causes [[ice]] crystals to grow quickly by taking water vapour from a cloud. Once these crystals have formed from the water vapour, they can [[Melting point\|melt]] and fall as rain or remain as they are and fall as snow.<ref name="RE1"/>

	==Acid Deposition==		==Acid Deposition==
	:: [[acid rain\|''main article'']]		:: [[acid rain\|''main article'']]
	'''Acid deposition''' is any type of precipitation that has a lower [[pH]] (and is therefore more [[acid]]ic) than normal. However, the term almost always used for all of these is '''acid rain'''. This higher acidity can cause problems in ~~ecosystems~~ and the environment, and remains one of the major environmental concerns from [[fuel]] use despite the immense progress made to address it since the 1970s.<Ref name=pp/>		'''Acid deposition''' is any type of precipitation that has a lower [[pH]] (and is therefore more [[acid]]ic) than normal. However, the term almost always used for all of these is '''acid rain'''. This [[acidification\|higher acidity]] can cause problems in [[ecosystem]]s and the [[environment]], and remains one of the major [[environmental impact\|environmental concerns]] from [[fuel]] use despite the immense progress made to address it since the 1970s.<Ref name=pp/>

	Acid rain is produced when water in the air combines with [[NOx\|nitrogen oxides]] and [[SOx\|sulfur dioxide]], two types of [[pollutant]]s, and then falls down the surface of the Earth. These pollutants may also collect on the Earth's surface and the rain may combine with it upon arrival to the Earth, so the term "'''acid deposition'''" is often preferred over acid rain.<Ref name=pp>Pollution Probe. ''The Acid Rain Primer''. Visit www.pollutionprobe.org</ref>		Acid rain is produced when water in the air combines with [[NOx\|nitrogen oxides]] and [[SOx\|sulfur dioxide]], two types of [[pollutant]]s, and then falls down the surface of the Earth. These pollutants may also collect on the Earth's surface and the rain may combine with it upon arrival to the Earth, so the term "'''acid deposition'''" is often preferred over acid rain.<Ref name=pp>Pollution Probe. ''The Acid Rain Primer''. Visit www.pollutionprobe.org</ref>

			==For Further Reading==
			*[[Acid]]
			*[[Evaporation]]
			*[[Cloud]]
			*[[Water]]
			*[[Hydrologic cycle]]
			*Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-09-03T18:22:24Z

1 revision imported

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Jmdonev at 22:44, 27 August 2015

2015-08-27T22:44:00Z

New page

[[Category:Done 2015-09-05]]
<onlyinclude>'''Precipitation''' is a vital part of the [[hydrologic cycle]], and is defined as any [[water]] released from the [[cloud]]s in the sky in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail. This is the primary method that water uses to move around in the hydrologic cycle.</onlyinclude><ref name="RE1">USGS. (August 26, 2015). ''Precipitation - The Water Cycle'' [Online]. Available: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleprecipitation.html</ref> Any form of precipitation that falls is one component of the [[weather]] occurring in an area at any point in time. However, the trend of how much precipitation an area gets over an extended period of time contributes to the overall [[climate]] of that area. For a more in-depth explanation of the difference between weather and climate, click [[climate vs weather|here]].

[[File:wcprecipitationworldmap.gif|400px|framed|center|Figure 1. A map of the Earth showing how much precipitation falls in different areas.<ref name="RE1"/>]]

The figure above shows precipitation trends worldwide. Precipitation doesn't fall evenly throughout the world, a country, or even a city. The different amounts of rain that fall at any point is significant to the formation of unique [[environment]]s and [[ecosystem]]s. As well, although many people think of arid, hot climates as being deserts, there are many different areas around the world that get significantly low amounts of precipitation and are thus deserts. Anything coloured green on the above map is classified as a desert - including Greenland and Antarctica.

==Formation==
All types of precipitation originate in clouds. Clouds contain [[water vapour]] and cloud droplets, which are simply small drops of condensed water that are too small to fall as precipitation. Despite being unable to fall as precipitation, these cloud droplets are what actually form visible clouds. Clouds themselves are continually evaporating and condensing, again moving water through the hydrologic cycle. Most of the condensed water in clouds doesn't actually fall as precipitation. The reason for this is because the [[speed]] at which the droplets fall isn't enough to overcome updraft speeds which keep clouds afloat.<ref name="RE1"/>

For precipitation to form, tiny water droplets inside of clouds must condense on small particles of dust, salt, or [[smoke]]. These particles provide a core for precipitation to form over. As water continues to condense on the dust, a water droplet forms. If enough collisions of condensing water vapour particles occurs, a droplet is produced and falls from the cloud. This process can take a long time since millions of cloud droplets are required to produce a single raindrop.<ref name="RE1"/>

Another mechanism for precipitation formation is known as the Bergeron-Findeisen process. In this process, a precipitation-sized drop is created through a process that causes ice crystals to grow quickly by taking water vapour from a cloud. Once these crystals have formed from the water vapour, they can melt and fall as rain or remain as they are and fall as snow.<ref name="RE1"/>

==Acid Deposition==
:: [[acid rain|''main article'']]
'''Acid deposition''' is any type of precipitation that has a lower [[pH]] (and is therefore more [[acid]]ic) than normal. However, the term almost always used for all of these is '''acid rain'''. This higher acidity can cause problems in ecosystems and the environment, and remains one of the major environmental concerns from [[fuel]] use despite the immense progress made to address it since the 1970s.<Ref name=pp/>

Acid rain is produced when water in the air combines with [[NOx|nitrogen oxides]] and [[SOx|sulfur dioxide]], two types of [[pollutant]]s, and then falls down the surface of the Earth. These pollutants may also collect on the Earth's surface and the rain may combine with it upon arrival to the Earth, so the term "'''acid deposition'''" is often preferred over acid rain.<Ref name=pp>Pollution Probe. ''The Acid Rain Primer''. Visit www.pollutionprobe.org</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}