Download types of precipitation

Types of Precipitation
Using the diagrams provided, explain each of the types of precipitation using the words
in brackets.
1. Convectional Precipitation
(sun provides heat, ground heats up, condensation, air above ground heats
up, torrential rain)
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2. Relief Precipitation
(evaporation, condensation, precipitation, water vapour forced to rise,
dew point, rain shadow)
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3. Frontal Precipitation
(cold air, warm air forced to rise, condensation, precipitation, dew point)
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Types of Precipitation
Using the diagrams provided, explain each of the types of precipitation using the words
in brackets.
1. Convectional Precipitation
(sun provides heat, ground heats up, condensation, air above ground heats
up, torrential rain)
The sun provides heat which warms up the ground. This causes air above
the ground to heat up and it rises. When it rises, it cools and condensation
occurs. With a lot of condensation, torrential rain occurs.
2. Relief Precipitation
(evaporation, condensation, precipitation, water vapour forced to rise,
dew point, rain shadow)
Water vapour is forced to rise over the mountain and condensation
occurs after the dew point (the temperature at which water cannot hold
water any longer - happens at a certain elevation). When enough
condensation accumulates, precipitation occurs. As the air flows back
down the mountain, any moisture leftover in the air evaporates again.
This drier air causes a rain shadow.
3. Frontal Precipitation
(cold air, warm air forced to rise, condensation, precipitation, dew point)
When a cold air mass and warm air mass meet, the warm air rises over
the cold air. At the boundary (front), the warm air eventually reaches the
dew point and condensation occurs. When enough condensation has
accumulated, precipitation occurs.
The Water Cycle
The Water Cycle The Water Cycle The Water Cycle
Match each of these terms to the correct blank in the diagram.
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cloud formation!
evaporation! !
impervious layer!
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precipitation! !
surface runoff!
ocean!!
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condensing water vapour
groundwater
transpiration
• Sun’s heat warms the surface water and water ______________into the
atmosphere (water vapour)
• as water cools it condenses to form ___________ - from there it can return to
the Earth as _______, ________, ________, _______
• when it falls it to the ground it tends to run off into nearby streams or rivers
(called __________)
• some water seeps into the soil and into the _________________, which may
flow into large underground lakes called ___________
• some water on surface of soil is taken up by plants and animals
• _________________: occurs when plants release water vapour in the
atmosphere through their leaves
The Water Cycle
• Sun’s heat warms the surface water and water evaporates into the atmosphere (water
vapour)
• as water cools it condenses to form clouds (Lena’s weather lesson)- from there it can
return to the Earth as rain, hail, snow, sleet
• when it falls it to the ground it tends to run off into nearby streams or rivers (called
runoff)
• some water seeps into the soil and into the ground water, which may flow into large
underground lakes called aquifers
• some water on surface of soil is taken up by plants and animals
• transpiration: occurs when plants release water vapour in the atmosphere
through their leaves