Precipitation - 4 Categories, Mechanism, Bergeon Process & Measurement YouTube Lecture Handouts
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Precipitation - 4 Categories, Mechanism, Bergeon Process & Measurement
PRECIPITATION
Types, Mechanism & Measurement
Definition of Precipitation
“Precipitation is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapour that falls under gravity.”
“Precipitation occurs when a portion of the atmosphere becomes saturated with water vapour, so that the water condenses and precipitates” .
Types
- Liquid Precipitation
- Freezing Precipitation
- Frozen Precipitation
- Mixed Precipitation
FROZEN PRECIPITATION
Mechanism
- Adding of Water Vapor
- Coalescence
- Cooling of Air
Coalescence
Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen process: Ice crystal growth occuring in mixed phase clouds (with supercooled water and ice) where ambient vapor pressure falls between saturation vapor pressure over water and lower saturation vapor pressure over ice. This is a sub-saturated environment for liquid water but supersaturated environment for ice lead to rapid evaporation of liquid water and rapid ice crystal growth by vapour deposition.
Geographical Distribution
- Orientation of winds, mountain systems, and air mass control play significant roles in the pattern of precipitation.
- Geographic pattern of precipitation is explained by examining the spatial distribution of:
- Air masses
- Water availability through evaporation
- Uplift mechanisms
Measurement of Rainfall
- Most rain gauges normally measure precipitation in millimetres equal to litres per square metre.
✍ Manishika