Types Of Precipitation

Question 1

What are the three types of precipitation

Answer 1

1. Conventional
2. Cyclone/ frontal
3. Relief/orographic/ rainshadow

Question 2

Conventional

Answer 2

• Precipitation develops as a result of the uneven hearing of the earths surface by the sun
• this precipitation is common on a hot summer day when heated land causes the air above it to rise by convection
• as the air rises it cools and condensation occurs
• rain or hail may fall from the thunderclouds that build up

1. Suns heat creates a hot spot, it becomes warmer than surrounding air and begins to rise creating up drafts
2. Raising air cools condenses and clouds form
3. Precipitation occurs

Question 3

Cyclone / frontal

Answer 3

• precipitation created when air masses that are different temperature and moisture collide
• when a warm air front collides with a cold front the warm air mass is forced to rise by the cooler denser air mass
• the warm moist air rises quickly creating a low pressure cell and strong winds
• the rising air cools condensed and precipitation occurs

Question 4

Relief/orographic/rainshadow

Answer 4

1. Sun evaporates the water
2. Differences in air pressure create winds that push the cloud on shore
3. Clouds reach the mountain and are forced to rise
4. Clouds pushed higher condense and precipitate
5. Clouds continue inland but are not rain bearing therefore that side of the mountain is dry
6. The wet side of the mountain is called the windward side and the dry side is called the leeward side

Question 5

Do not confuse types of precipitation with forms of precipitation

Answer 5

We have different types of precipitation because there are three different ways that moisture can be pushed up into the atmosphere