Precipitation
All forms of water that reach the earth from the atmosphere is called
Precipitation.
The usual forms are rainfall, snowfall, frost, hail, drizzle, glaze, sleet
and dew. Of all these, the first two contribute significant amounts of
water.
Rainfall being the predominant form of precipitation causing stream
flow, especially the flood flow in majority of rivers. Thus, in this
context, rainfall is used synonymously with precipitation. Types of
Rain, snow, hail, drizzle, glaze, sleet
Rain:
precipitation in the form of water drops of size larger than 0.5 mm to 6mm
Light rain – if intensity is trace to 2.5 mm/h
Moderate – if intensity is 2.5 mm/hr to 7.5 mm/hr
Heavy rain – above 7.5 mm/hr
Snow
Snow is formed from ice crystal masses, which usually combine to form
flakes
Drizzle
A fine sprinkle of numerous water droplets of size less than 0.5mm and
intensity less than 1mm/hr.
Glaze
When rain or drizzle comes in contact with cold ground at around 0
degree centigrade, the water drops freeze to form an ice coating called
glaze.
Sleet
It is frozen raindrops of transparent grains which form when rain falls
through air at subfreezing temperature. Sleet denotes precipitation of
snow and rain simultaneously.
Hail (violent thunderstorm)
precipitation in the form of small balls or lumps usually consisting of
concentric layers of clear ice and compact snow of size more than
[Link] can be damaging crops and small buildings.
Types of precipitation
Frontal precipitation
Cyclonic precipitation
Convective precipitation
Orographic precipitation
Frontal precipitation
When two air masses due to contrasting temperatures and densities clash with each
other, condensation and precipitation occur at the surface of contact.
This surface of contact is called a ‘front’ or ‘frontal surface’. If a cold air mass drives
out a warm air mass’ it is called a ‘cold front’
if a warm air mass replaces the retreating cold air mass, it is called a ‘warm front’
if the two air masses are drawn simultaneously towards a low pressure area, the front
developed is stationary and is called a ‘stationary front’
Cyclonic precipitation
This type of precipitation is due to lifting of moist air converging
into a low pressure belt, i.e., due to pressure differences created by
the unequal heating of the earth’s surface.
The winds blow spirally inward counterclockwise in the northern
hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
There are two main types of cyclones—tropical cyclone (also called
hurricane or typhoon) of comparatively small diameter of 100-200km
causing high wind velocity and heavy precipitation,
The extra-tropical cyclone of large diameter up to 3000 km.
Convectional precipitation
it is also known as thermal convection. The air close to the warm earth
gets heated and rises due to its low density, cools adiabatically to form a
cauliflower shaped cloud, which finally bursts into a thunder storm.
Usually the areal extent of such rainfall is small, being limited to a
diameter of about 10km.
Orographic precipitation
• The mechanical lifting of moist air over mountain barriers, causes
heavy precipitation on the windward side.
• For example Cherrapunji in the Himalayan range and western Ghats
experience this type of rainfall.
2.2 Temporal and Spatial Variation of Rainfall
• Rainfall varies greatly both in time and
space
– With respect to time – temporal variation
– With space – Spatial variation
