InĀ meteorology,Ā precipitationĀ is any product of theĀ condensationĀ of atmosphericĀ water vaporĀ that falls under gravitational pull from clouds.
The main forms of precipitation includeĀ drizzling,Ā rain,Ā sleet,Ā snow,Ā ice pellets,Ā graupelĀ andĀ hail.
Precipitation occurs when a portion of the atmosphere becomes saturated with water vapor (reaching 100%Ā relative humidity), so that the water condenses and “precipitates” or falls.
Thus,Ā fogĀ andĀ mistĀ are not precipitation butĀ colloids, because the water vapor does not condense sufficiently to precipitate.
Two processes, possibly acting together, can lead to air becoming saturated: cooling the air or adding water vapor to the air.
Precipitation forms as smaller droplets coalesce via collision with other rain drops or ice crystals within a cloud.
Short, intense periods of rain in scattered locations are calledĀ showers.
Last Updated on 5 hours ago by pinc