This blog contains information about Precipitation. In the start, it provide definition and explanation about Precipitation. Then it explains the main Types of Precipitation. It also elaborates the relation of Precipitation and Climate Change. Then it compares Precipitation with Rainfall. It also mentions the Benefits and Risks of Rainfall. This blog contains Precipitation and Climate Change, Types, Precipitation vs Rainfall, Benefits and Risks of Rainfall.
Definition of Precipitation:
Precipitation is a natural process that involves the release of water from clouds, in the form of rain, sleet, snow, or hail. This process is the way of returning atmospheric water to the Earth surface.
When the water vapors from the Earth surface, rise up in the atmosphere as a result of Evaporation. These water vapors become a part of atmosphere temporarily. When the temperature cools down in the atmosphere and process of condensation occur so the water vapors that are already part of the clouds turns into liquid water drops (rain), solid ice particles (hail) and snow. The falling or release of rain, snow and hail from the clouds is the precipitation and in this water returns to the surface of the Earth. These all processes are collectively called as Natural Water cycle or Hydrological Cycle.
The process of precipitation is the product of condensation because it only happens when the hot water vapors cools down and creates releases containing water to the surface of the Earth. It is most important process in the completion of water cycle.
Precipitation is useful for the soil, natural resources and ecosystems on Earth. But when rarely this precipitation occurs in extreme states and excessively, it can lead to severe Natural Disasters. Excessive precipitation can cause destruction of vegetation, animals, human resources and Lives of humans.
This blog contains every important detail about Precipitation such as Types, Effects and Mitigation Measures for extreme Precipitation.
Types of Precipitation:
Following are some common types of precipitation:
. Rain:
The most common type of precipitation is Rain. It is the release if the clouds in the form of water droplets. This is the simple release of water from the clouds. This precipitation can be in straight direction or in slant direction. It can be in slow speed, or in drastic speeds with wind storm. Rains are a blessing of God as they gives life to all the living organisms on Earth including Plants, Animals, vegetation and other forms of wildlife and biodiversity. But in the situation of extreme and unstoppable rains, it can be devastating for everything on Earth and cause floods, damage of crops and other issues.
. Hail:
Hail is another type of precipitation. The hail forms inside of cold storm clouds and forms when extremely cold water droplets freezes as soon as they touch the dirt or dust. Hail mostly falls in the form of solid ice or as a stone. The hail stones are of the size of small rocks, and can be large enough of about 15 centimeter. Hail storm are very dangerous as they can cause loss of property, injuries, accidents, damage of vehicles and challenges with visibility. It can also cause damage of trees, vegetation and other biodiversity. Hail is very destructive in any condition of release.
. Snow:
Snow is the precipitation in the form of ice crystals. The snow has a complex structure as compared to hail. It is in the form of individual ice crystals into the clouds. When these individual ice crystals fall they form clusters of snowflakes. And the snowfall happens when these clusters of snowflakes falls individually from the clouds. Snow fall is not like hail storm because it is very calm and soothing. It provides scenic and aesthetic views and is worth watching. Snow is a disaster if it continues for hours and days. It makes everything covered with snow and form huge deposits of snow, these conditions disturbs the human activities such as Transport, food supply, traffic jams etc.
. Virga:
Virga is the type of precipitation that forms by the cloud, but due to high temperatures and humidity, coverts into water vapors before reaching on the surface of the Earth. They appear like streaks and shafts in the sky as they evaporate in the way to the Earth. This precipitation occurs in dry and warm conditions of the weather. Moisture could not reach the Earth in this state. It is a Meteorological phenomenon that happen in warm and dry regions. This is the only type of precipitation that does not reach the ground due to extremely dry weather.
These are some basic Types of Precipitation.
Precipitation and Climate change:
Climate change is the long-term shift of the temperature and weather patterns, that is increasing with time due to increase in Anthropogenic Activities.
In the ancient time, climate change was negligible because the population was very small as compared to the resources. But as man stepped into Industrial era, it started many negative anthropogenic activities effecting climate change and they works for boosting this natural phenomenon.
Precipitation and climate change are interconnected from one another because precipitation occurs as a result of variation in weather patterns. Climate change effects the precipitation in different ways. These are as follows:
i. Increase its intensity:
Due to changes in weather patterns and extreme conditions of climate change, the precipitation can turn inro extreme conditions such as storm, heavy rainfall, extended periods of snowfall etc. This cause a normal rainfall to convert into destructive and devastating in nature.
ii. Increase in Thunderstorm Clouds:
The meteorological phenomena going on into the sky includes the formation of thunderstorm clouds. But naturally they are formed rarely. Climate change increase the number of chemical reactions taking place on the sky thus there is more chances of thunderstorm cloud formation. If thunderstorm clouds will form, thunderstorm will occur frequently causing destruction.
iii. Risks of Natural Disasters:
When there will be excessive and extreme conditions of precipitation there is more chances of increased Natural disasters such as Flood, Tsunami, etc. As these disasters are so difficult to tackle in the case of extreme climate change. They can cause life loss, destruction of property, infrastructure loss and many other damages to living.
These are few impacts of Climate Change on Precipitation, we also discussed Types of Precipitation.
Precipitation vs Rainfall:
Precipitation:
The precipitation phenomenon is falling of water from the clouds on sky in the form of rain, snow, ice crystals etc.
It is the main group of rainfall.
This phenomenon happens in all types of temperature such as freezing, cold, warm and moderate temperatures.
Every type of Precipitation is not suitable for plants, crops and other biodiversity.
Precipitation can fall in the form of water, snow, hail etc.
Example: Snowfall, Hail, Rainfall etc.
VS
Rainfall:
Rainfall is the falling of water droplets from the sky.
It is a type of Precipitation.
Rainfall happens in moderate temperatures to water does not freeze and falls freely on the surface of the Earth.
It is very much beneficial for the plants, crops and other biodiversity.
Rainfall includes only liquid drops of water falling from the sky.
Example: Heavy rainfall, Thunderstorm, Drizzle etc.
Environmental Benefits of Rainfall:
Following are some Environmental benefits of Rainfall:
1. Cleanse the Air:
Rainfall removes harmful particles of pollutant from the air and clean the air completely. You can smell the odor of soil after rain because it eliminates the toxic pollutants and contaminants from the environment. This is very beneficial for Humans, plants and Biodiversity.
2. Enhance Soil Health:
The health of soil is enhanced when fresh raindrops falls on to the soil. It adds moisture and nutrients to the soil and its runoff works for removing of the pollutants from the soil. In this way soil becomes healthy and moisturized and it is in favor of plants and animals.
3. Maintains water levels:
Rainfall play a great role in maintaining water level either it is of water resources or groundwater. This regulates the amount of water present in water resources such as streams, rivers, canals etc. It also improves the water quality of such resources by adding clean water to it.
4. Reduce Urban Heat:
Urban heat is referred as excessive heat that forms in Urban areas due to industrial activities, transportation, GHGs emissions etc. Rainfall cause the urban heat to reduce and so provide cooling effect to the urban areas after longer heatwaves and hot weather.
5. Provide strength to Plants and Trees:
Rainfall is beneficial for vegetation in every possible way. As it provide enough moisture to the soil that is excellent for plant and trees to grow and develop. It removes dust and pollutants from the surface of the leaves so that photosynthesis process can be boosted.
These are few Environmental Benefits of Rainfall. This blog contains Precipitation and Climate change and Types of Precipitation.
Risks of Rainfall:
Following are some risks associated with rainfall:
. Floods:
Heavy rainfalls or extended periods of rainfall due to extreme climate change, can cause flooding and urban flooding. Floods can destroy infrastructure, vegetation, property and can cause life loss in extreme conditions. Every year people loose their homes and properties due to floods.
Solutions for Floods:
Dam construction at suitable locations
Flood Barriers
Efficient Drainage Systems
Channelization of rivers and streams. etc.
. Landslides:
Landslides refers to as the falling of pieces of land from the mountain due to precipitation and heavy rains. These are great risks to human lives and infrastructure loss. Landslides are always unpredictable and can cause blockage of the roads in mountainous areas and disturb the transportation.
Solutions for Landslides:
Modify Slope Geometry
Installing of retaining walls or safety grills to reduce damage
Using chemical reagents to reinforce slope materials
Keep monitoring slopes to avoid Landslides. etc.
. Acid Rain:
Acid rain is the formation of rain when the toxic gases such as SOx and NOx evaporates into the sky and deposits into rain form. This rain is very destructive as it can react with the surfaces, limestone, old monuments and adds harmful gases to the atmosphere. It is very harmful to health.
Solutions for Acid Rain:
Reduce the use of Fossil Fuels
Remove Nitrogen and Sulfur from the fuels before use
Use scrubber to remove toxic gases before entering into the atmosphere
Apply Desulfurization and Denitrification to reduce damage. etc.
. Water borne Diseases:
Rains can bring a lot of waterborne diseases, because they cause different bacteria and viruses to grow into the moisture and standing water. These can be because of contamination of water and food that we eat. Some waterborne diseases are Cholera, Typhoid, Dysentery etc.
Solutions for Waterborne Diseases:
Avoid consuming water from the water resources during or after rain
Do not eat preserved food in the rainy season
Avoid food and water available at open locations during rain
Eat and drink healthy and home made food. etc.
These are few risks of Rainfall. This blog contains Precipitation and Climate Change, Types, Rainfall benefits and Risks.
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