Heavy precipitation. What types of precipitation are there?
Hello Dear friends! In this article I want to tell you about how various sediments are formed, what kind of process it is and where it is formed.
We have all seen various precipitation in our lives, but most likely we have never thought about where it is formed from, what types of precipitation there are, and what processes are involved in all this, how to determine what the weather will be like tomorrow... Let's consider precipitation and its types.
Precipitation- this is the contained moisture that falls to the Earth in different forms: snow, rain, hail, etc. Precipitation is measured by the thickness of the fallen ball of water in millimeters. On average per year globe About 1000 mm of precipitation falls per year, and in high latitudes and deserts - less than 250 mm per year.
Tiny droplets of water vapor in a cloud move up and down rather than hanging. When they fall down, they merge with other droplets of water, but their weight will not allow them to break through the rising air that created them. This process is called “coalescence” (fusion). Let's discuss with you the main types of precipitation.
According to Swedish meteorologist Bergeron's theory, which was put forward in the 1930s, snow and rain are caused by supercooled water droplets that form ice crystals in clouds. Depending on whether these crystals melt during the fall or not, they fall to Earth in the form of rain or snow.
As crystals move up and down in the clouds, new layers grow on them, thus hail forms. This process is called “accretion” (growth).
When water vapor at temperatures from -4°C to -15°C condenses in a cloud, ice crystals stick together and form into snowflakes, thus snow forms.
The shape and size of snowflakes depend on the air temperature and the strength of the winds in which they fall. On the surface, snowflakes form a snow cover that reflects more than half of the sun's ray energy, and the purest and driest snow reflects up to 90% of the sun's rays.
This cools snow-covered areas. Snow cover is capable of emitting thermal energy, and therefore even the slight heat that it has quickly goes into the atmosphere.
The resulting water when water vapor condenses is rain. It falls from the clouds and reaches the Earth's surface in the form of liquid droplets. Heavy, light and moderate (storm) rains are distinguished depending on the volume of precipitation that fell in a certain period of time.
The intensity of light rain varies from very low to 2.5 mm/h; moderate rain - from 2.8 to 8 mm/h and with heavy rain more than 8 mm/h or more than 0.8 mm in 6 minutes. When there is continuous cloud cover over a large area, there are continuous continuous rains, usually weak and consisting of small droplets.
In smaller areas, rainfall tends to be more intense and consist of larger droplets. Atmospheric precipitation in the form of very small droplets that fall very slowly from fog or clouds is drizzle.
Other precipitations are also distinguished:freezing rain, ice pellets, snow grains, snow pellets, etc. But I will not write about this, because from the example of basic precipitation written above, you can now clearly understand all these meanings yourself. All this precipitation has the following consequences: ice, frozen trees... and they are very similar to each other.
Cloudiness.
Her can be determined by eye. It changes in oktas by 8 point scale. For example, 0 oktas – cloudless sky, 4 oktas – half the sky is covered with clouds, 8 oktas – completely cloudy. The weather can be determined without weather forecasts.
It has a local character: somewhere it's raining, and a few kilometers away the weather is clear. Sometimes it may not be kilometers, but meters (it’s clear on one side of the street, but it’s raining on the other), I myself have repeatedly witnessed such rain.
Many fishermen and rural residents, as well as elderly people, are able to predict the weather in their area much better by studying clouds.
During sunset, red clouds in the sky often guarantee clear weather the next day. Thunderstorms in summer and hail in winter carry copper-colored clouds with bright silvery edges. The storm is foreshadowed by the dawn sky covered with blood-red spots.
The end of a period of stable weather is often heralded by a sky covered in “lamblets” of cirrocumulus clouds. Changes in weather are often indicated by cirrus clouds ("horses tails") high in the sky. Thunderstorms with rain, snow or hail usually bring cumulonimbus clouds.
You can find out more about all types of clouds
Well, now we have looked at all the precipitation that is important to us, and we know the main signs of the weather 🙂
SEDIMENTS, THEIR FORMS AND TYPES. INFLUENCE OF PRECIPITATION ON THE FIELD
Precipitation called drops of water and ice crystals falling from clouds or settling from the air onto the earth's surface. Precipitation from clouds provides more than 99% of the total amount of water coming from the atmosphere to the earth's surface; less than 1% comes from precipitation deposited from the air.
Precipitation x is characterized by quantity and intensity. Precipitation measured by the thickness (expressed in mm or cm) of the layer of water that it would form on the surface of the earth in the absence of infiltration, runoff and evaporation. Intensity − this is the amount of precipitation falling per unit of time (per minute or hour).
A necessary condition for the formation of precipitation is the enlargement of cloud elements to such sizes at which the rate of fall of these elements becomes greater than the rate of ascending flows. The consolidation process occurs mainly for the following reasons:
a) due to the recondensation of water from steam from water droplets onto ice crystals or from
small drops to large ones. This happens because the saturation elasticity over ice crystals is less than over water droplets, and over large drops it is less than over small ones.
b) due to the merging (coagulation) of water drops upon their collision as a result of turbulent air movements and different falling speeds of large and small drops. These collisions lead to the absorption of small droplets by large ones.
The growth of droplets due to condensation predominates until the radius of the droplet becomes equal to 20...60 μm, after which the main process of enlargement of cloud elements becomes coagulation.
Clouds that are homogeneous in structure, i.e. consisting only of identical
the size of droplets or only from ice crystals, precipitation is not given. Such clouds include cumulus and altocumulus, consisting of shallow waters ice drops, as well as cirrus, cirrocumulus and cirrostratus, consisting of ice crystals.
In clouds consisting of droplets of different sizes, larger droplets slowly grow at the expense of smaller ones. However, as a result of this process, only small drops of rain are formed. This process occurs in stratus and sometimes in stratocumulus clouds, from which precipitation can fall in the form of drizzle.
c) the main types of precipitation fall from mixed clouds, in which the enlargement of cloud elements occurs due to the freezing of supercooled drops on ice crystals. The consolidation of cloud elements proceeds rapidly and is accompanied by rain or snow. These clouds include cumulonimbus, nimbostratus and altostratus.
Precipitation falling from clouds can be liquid, solid or mixed.
Main forms of precipitation are:
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Wet snow– precipitation consisting of melting snow at a temperature of – 0°…+5°С.
Snow pellets– soft milky-white opaque grains of round shape with a diameter of 2...5 mm.
Ice grains – transparent grains with a dense white core in the center. The diameter of the grains is less than 5 mm. It is formed when raindrops or partially melted snowflakes freeze when falling through the lower layer of air with a negative temperature.hail– precipitation in the form of ice pieces of various sizes. Hailstones have an irregular or spherical (close to spherical) shape, their size ranges from 5 mm to 10 cm or more. Therefore, the weight of hailstones can be very large. In the center of the hailstones there is a whitish translucent grain, surrounded by several layers of transparent and opaque ice.
freezing rain– small transparent spherical particles with a diameter of 1...3 mm. They are formed when raindrops freeze, falling through the lower layer of air with a negative temperature (rain at a temperature of 0°... 5°C).
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By the nature of the loss, depending on physical educational conditions,
duration and intensity, precipitation is divided into three types:
1. Cover precipitation − these are long-lasting, medium-intensity precipitation in the form of raindrops or snow flakes, which are observed simultaneously over a large area. This precipitation falls from a system of frontal nimbostratus and altostratus clouds.
2. Rainfall − these are short-term, high intensity precipitation in the form of large drops, large snow flakes, sometimes ice pellets or hail, which are usually observed over small areas. They fall out of cumulonimbus, and sometimes powerful cumulus (in the tropics) clouds. They usually begin suddenly and do not last long, but in some cases they can recur several times. Rainfall is often accompanied by thunderstorms and squalls.
3. Drizzle - very small drops, tiny snowflakes or snow grains settling from the clouds to the ground almost imperceptibly to the eye. Observed simultaneously over a large area, their intensity is very low and is usually determined not by the amount of precipitation, but by the degree of deterioration in horizontal visibility. They fall from stratus and stratocumulus clouds.
To precipitation released directly from the air, include: dew, frost, frost, liquid or solid deposits on the windward side of vertically located objects.
Dew- this is liquid precipitation in the form of small droplets of water formed in summer nights and in the morning on objects located near the surface of the earth, plant leaves, etc. Dew is formed upon contact humid air with cooled objects, as a result of which water vapor condenses.
Frost- this is a white, fine-crystalline deposit formed as a result of sublimation of water vapor in cases where the temperature of the surface air and underlying surface is below 0°C;
High moisture content, low clouds and low winds contribute to the formation of dew and frost. A layer of air with a thickness of
200...300 m and more. Frost that forms on the surface of an aircraft on the ground must be carefully removed before departure, as this can lead to serious consequences due to the fact that the aerodynamic qualities of the aircraft deteriorate.
frost- This is white, loose, snow-like ice. It forms in foggy frosty weather with very light winds on branches of trees and bushes, wires and other objects. The formation of frost is mainly associated with the freezing of tiny supercooled droplets colliding with various items. Snowy bang Roma frost can be of the most bizarre shapes. It easily crumbles when shaken, but when the temperature rises and a new cold snap occurs, it can freeze and freeze.
Liquid and solid plaque is formed on the windward part of vertically located objects cooled to a temperature below the ambient air temperature. In warm weather, a liquid coating forms, and at surface temperatures below 0°C, white translucent ice crystals form. This type of precipitation can form at any time of the day during sudden warming in the cold season.
Blowing snow is a special form of sediment transport. There are three types of blizzards:
drifting snow, blowing snow and general snowstorm.
Snowy drift And blowing snow are formed during the transfer of dry snow over the surface of the earth. Drifting snow is formed when the wind is 4...6 m/s, the snow rises to heights of up to 2 m above the ground. A blowing snow is formed when the wind is 6 m/s or more, the snow rises to heights of more than 2 m above the ground surface. At general snowstorm (does not have its own icon) snow is falling from the clouds, wind is 10 m/s or more, previously fallen snow is rising from the ground and visibility is less than 1000 m.
All types of precipitation complicate flight operations. The effect of precipitation on flights depends on its type, the nature of the precipitation and the air temperature.
1. During precipitation, visibility deteriorates and the cloud base decreases. In moderate rain, when flying at low speed, horizontal visibility deteriorates to 4...2 km, and at high flight speed - to 2...1 km. A significant deterioration in horizontal visibility is observed when flying in a snowfall zone. In light snow, visibility usually does not exceed 1...2 km, and in moderate and heavy snow it deteriorates to several hundred meters. In heavy rainfall, visibility sharply decreases to several tens of meters. The lower boundary of clouds in the precipitation zone, especially on atmospheric fronts, decreases to 50...100 m and can be located below the decision altitude.
2. Precipitation in the form of hail causes mechanical damage to aircraft. At high speed and flight, even small hailstones can make significant dents and destroy the cockpit glazing. Hail sometimes occurs at significant altitudes: small hail is observed at an altitude of about 13 km, and large hail is observed at an altitude of 9.5 km. The destruction of glazing at high altitudes can lead to depressurization, which is very dangerous.
3. When flying in an area of freezing rain, intense icing occurs
aircraft.
4. Long-term continuous precipitation in the warm season causes waterlogging of the soil and disables unpaved airfields for some time or another, disrupting the regularity of the departure and reception of aircraft.
5. Heavy rainfall worsens the aerodynamic qualities of the aircraft, which can lead to stalling. In connection with this, landing in heavy rainfall with visibility less than 1000 m prohibited .
6. When flying along VFR in a snowfall zone over a snow-covered surface, the contrast of all objects on the surface is significantly reduced. earth's surface and therefore orientation deteriorates greatly.
7. When landing on a wet or snow-covered runway, the aircraft's flight distance increases. Slip on a runway covered with snow is 2 times greater than on a concrete runway.
8. When an aircraft takes off from a runway covered with slush, hydroplaning may occur. The wheels of the aircraft throw off powerful jets of water and slush, causing strong braking and increasing the take-off run. Conditions may arise that the aircraft will not achieve take-off speed and a dangerous situation may arise.
9. Drop-down in winter time snow requires additional work to remove and compact it on the runway, taxiways and parking areas where services are maintained. aircraft and other machines and mechanisms.
Atmospheric precipitation is water in liquid and solid state that falls from clouds and precipitates from the air.
Types of precipitation
For atmospheric precipitation There are different classifications. There are precipitations that are associated with warm fronts and rainfall, which are classified as cold fronts.
Precipitation is measured in millimeters - the thickness of the layer of fallen water. On average, high latitudes and deserts receive about 250 mm of precipitation per year, and the globe as a whole receives about 1,000 mm of precipitation per year.
Measuring precipitation is essential for any geographical research. After all, precipitation is one of the most important links in moisture circulation on the globe.
The defining characteristics for a particular climate are considered to be the average monthly, annual, seasonal and long-term precipitation, its daily and annual course, their repetition and intensity.
These indicators are extremely important for most sectors of the national (agricultural) economy.
Rain is liquid precipitation - in the form of drops from 0.4 to 5-6 mm. Raindrops can leave a mark in the form of a wet spot on a dry object, or on the surface of water - in the form of a diverging circle.
Exist different types rain: icy, freezing and rain with snow. Both freezing rain and ice rain fall at subzero air temperatures.
Supercooled rain is characterized by liquid precipitation, the diameter of which reaches 5 mm; After this type of rain, ice may form.
And freezing rain is represented by precipitation in a solid state - these are ice balls with frozen water inside. Snow is precipitation that falls in the form of flakes and snow crystals.
Horizontal visibility depends on the intensity of snowfall. A distinction is made between sleet and sleet.
The concept of weather and its features
The state of the atmosphere in a particular place in exact time called weather. Weather is the most variable phenomenon in the environment. It will start to rain, then the wind will start, and after a few hours the sun will shine and the wind will subside.
But even the variability of weather has its own patterns, despite the fact that the formation of weather is influenced by a huge number of factors.
The main elements characterizing the weather include the following meteorological indicators: solar radiation, atmospheric pressure, air humidity and temperature, precipitation and wind direction, wind strength and cloud cover.
If we talk about weather variability, then most often it changes in temperate latitudes - in regions with continental climate. And the most stable weather occurs in polar and equatorial latitudes.
Changes in weather are associated with changes in seasons, that is, changes are periodic, and weather conditions repeat over time.
Every day we observe the daily change in weather - night follows day, and for this reason weather conditions change.
Climate concept
The long-term weather pattern is called climate. Climate is determined in a specific area - thus, the weather pattern must be stable for a certain geographical location.
Introduction
The relevance of studying atmospheric precipitation lies in the fact that it is the main water-balance component of all types of natural waters and the main source of natural resources groundwater are precipitation. Atmospheric deposition constantly affects all components environment, represent an irreducible factor and therefore belong to the highest category in risk theory.
Atmospheric precipitation as products of condensation and sublimation of water vapor in the atmosphere is an important climatic parameter that determines the moisture regime of the territory. For precipitation to occur, the presence of a moist air mass, upward movements and condensation nuclei is necessary.
Therefore, by the amount and intensity of precipitation, one can indirectly judge the nature of vertical movements in the atmosphere, which are most difficult to assess in the energy cycle of the atmosphere.
The purpose of the work is to study atmospheric precipitation and its chemical composition.
To achieve this goal, it is necessary to solve the following tasks:
1. Consider the concept of precipitation;
2. Explain the distribution of daily and annual precipitation amounts;
3. Consider the classification of precipitation;
4. Find out what chemical components are part of atmospheric precipitation
Work structure. Course work consists of an introduction, six chapters, a conclusion, a list of references and an appendix.
atmospheric precipitation chemical composition
Atmospheric precipitation and its types
Atmospheric precipitation is moisture that falls to the surface from the atmosphere in the form of rain, drizzle, cereals, snow, and hail. Precipitation comes from clouds, but not every cloud produces precipitation. The formation of precipitation from a cloud occurs due to the enlargement of droplets to a size capable of overcoming rising currents and air resistance. The enlargement of droplets occurs due to the merging of droplets, evaporation of moisture from the surface of droplets (crystals) and condensation of water vapor on others. Precipitation is one of the links in the moisture cycle on Earth.
The main condition for the formation of precipitation is the cooling of warm air, leading to condensation of the steam contained in it.
Types of precipitation
Cover precipitation - uniform, long-lasting, falls from nimbostratus clouds;
Rainfall - characterized by rapid changes in intensity and short duration. They fall from cumulonimbus clouds as rain, often with hail.
Drizzle - falls in the form of drizzle from stratus and stratocumulus clouds.
By origin they distinguish:
Convective precipitation is typical for the hot zone, where heating and evaporation are intense, but in summer they often occur in the temperate zone.
Frontal precipitation is formed when two air masses With different temperatures and others physical properties, fall out of more warm air, forming cyclonic vortices, typical for temperate and cold zones.
Orographic precipitation occurs on the windward slopes of mountains, especially high ones. They are abundant if the air comes from the side warm sea and has great absolute and relative humidity. (see appendix 4)
Kinds climatic precipitation must be considered inextricably linked with the concept of “weather”. It is these elements that are fundamental when considering the conditions of a particular region.
The term “weather” refers to the state of the atmosphere in a particular place. The formation of a climate type and its constancy depend on many factors that have their own patterns of manifestation. The same conditions cannot be observed in individual areas. The types of climatic precipitation are different on all continents of the globe.
Climate can be influenced by indicators such as solar radiation, atmospheric pressure, air humidity and temperature, precipitation, wind direction and strength, cloudiness, and relief.
Climate
The long-term weather pattern is climate. It is significantly influenced by the amount solar heat arriving at the Earth's surface. This indicator depends on the height of the Sun at noon - geographic latitude. The most a large number of Solar heat arrives at the equator; towards the poles this value decreases.
Also the most important factor What influences the weather is the relative position of land and sea, which makes it possible to distinguish between marine and continental climate types.
Marine (oceanic) climate is characteristic of oceans, islands and coastal parts of continents. This type is characterized by small annual daily fluctuations in air temperatures and a significant amount of precipitation.
Continental climate characterizes continental zones. The continental continentality indicator depends on the average annual fluctuations in air temperature.
Another factor influencing weather conditions is sea currents. This dependence is manifested in changes in the temperature of air masses. They also have their own character climatic precipitation near the ocean.
Air temperature is the next factor, the influence of which on weather and climate is difficult to overestimate. Changes in thermal conditions create dynamics in air pressure indicators, forming zones of high and low atmospheric pressure. These zones transport air masses. Different nature occurring air masses forms which are characterized by cloudiness, precipitation, increased wind speed and temperature changes.
The complex interaction of the above factors shapes the types of weather conditions in certain territories.
The following climate types are distinguished: equatorial, tropical monsoon, tropical dry, Mediterranean, subtropical dry, temperate maritime, temperate continental, temperate monsoon, subarctic, arctic or Antarctic.
Types of climate. Brief description of all climate types
The equatorial type is characterized average annual temperature within +26˚С, big amount atmospheric precipitation throughout the year, the predominance of warm and humid air masses and is distributed in the equatorial regions of Africa, South America and Oceania.
The types of precipitation directly depend on the region. Below we consider the types of climate that are characteristic of tropical environments.
Types of tropical climates
The weather around the world is quite varied. The tropical monsoon has the following characteristics: temperature in January - +20˚С, in July - +30˚С, 2000 mm of precipitation, monsoons predominate. Distributed in the South and South-East Asia, Western and Central Africa, Northern Australia.
A tropical dry climate is characterized by air temperatures in January of +12˚С, in July - +35˚С, slight precipitation within 200 mm, trade winds predominate. Distributed in the territory North Africa, Central Australia.
The Mediterranean type of climate can be characterized by the following indicators: temperature in January +7˚С, in July +22˚С; 200 mm of precipitation, in summer period In winter, anticyclones predominate; in winter, cyclones predominate. The Mediterranean climate is widespread in the Mediterranean region, South Africa, South Western Australia, Western California.
Temperatures in a subtropical dry climate range from 0˚С in January to +40˚С in July, with this type of climate precipitation does not exceed 120 mm, and dry continental air masses predominate in the atmosphere. The distribution area for this type of weather conditions is the interior of continents.
Moderate is distinguished by such temperature indicators: from +2˚С to +17˚С, precipitation at the level of 1000 mm, it is typical. It is widespread in the western parts of Eurasia and North America.
Shows a significant difference in seasonal temperatures: -15˚С - +20˚С, precipitation within 400 mm, westerly winds and prevalence in the interior of the continents.
The moderate monsoon shows sharp temperature fluctuations from -20˚C in January to +23˚C in July, precipitation of 560 mm, the presence of monsoons and predominance in eastern Eurasia.
In the subarctic type of climate, temperatures range from -25˚С to +8˚С, precipitation - 200 mm, monsoons predominate in the atmosphere, territory - Northern Eurasia and America.
Arctic (Antarctic) type, in which there are low temperatures- -40˚С - 0˚С, minor precipitation - 100 mm, anticyclones, - common in mainland Australia and the Arctic Ocean.
The types we have considered, which predominate over vast territories, are defined as macroclimates. In addition to these, meso- and microclimates are also studied, which concern relatively small areas with stable weather conditions.
The most important criterion for determining the type of climate is the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of atmospheric precipitation falling in a given territory.
Atmospheric precipitation and its types. Weather and climate concept
The Earth's climate is heterogeneous, and the quantitative and qualitative indicators of precipitation falling over the territory play an important role in this. The factors on which they depend are determined by the scheme. The types of precipitation depend on the following factors: physical fitness, place of formation, nature of loss, place of origin.
Let's take a closer look at each of the factors.
Physical characteristics of precipitation
Types of precipitation are classified depending on their physical state:
- Liquid, which includes drizzle and rain.
- Solid - these include snow, cereals, hail.
- Rain - water drops. It is the most common type of precipitation that falls from cumulonimbus and nimbostratus clouds.
- Drizzle is the name given to microscopic drops of moisture with a diameter of hundredths of a millimeter falling from stratus clouds or dense fog at above-zero temperatures.
- The predominant form of solid precipitation is snow, the types of which are snow and ice pellets that fall at low temperatures.
- Hail is another form of solid precipitation in the form of ice particles 5-20 mm in size. This type of precipitation, despite its structure, falls in the warm season.
The influence of seasonality on the physical state of precipitation
Depending on the season, precipitation falls in certain forms. The following types are typical for the warm period: rain, drizzle, dew, hail. In the cold season, snow, groats, hoarfrost, frost, and ice are possible.
Classification of precipitation depending on the place of formation
Rain, drizzle, hail, graupel, and snow form in the upper ones.
On the ground or close to the ground - dew, frost, drizzle, ice.
The nature of precipitation
Based on the nature of precipitation, precipitation can be divided into drizzle, shower and heavy precipitation. Their character depends on many factors.
Drizzle precipitation is long-lasting and has low intensity, shower precipitation is characterized by high intensity but short duration, and continuous precipitation has a uniform intensity without sharp fluctuations.
The nature and amount of precipitation certainly influence the weather conditions of a certain area, which, in turn, affects general climate. In the tropics, for example, rain can only be observed for a few months of the year. The rest of the time the sun shines.
Climatic precipitation
Climate and types of climatic precipitation are directly dependent on each other. Factors influencing the distribution of snow and rain include temperature, air movement, topography and sea currents.
Zone equatorial climate characterized the largest number precipitation on Earth. This fact is due high temperatures air and high humidity.
Divided into dry desert and wet types tropical climate. The global climate has average precipitation that ranges from 500-5000 mm.
The monsoon type is characterized by a large amount of precipitation that comes from the ocean. Weather here they have their own periodicity.
The Arctic region is poor in precipitation, which is explained by the presence of low atmospheric temperatures.
Based on the place of origin, all types of climatic precipitation can be divided into:
- convective, which predominate in areas with a hot climate, but are also possible in areas with a temperate climate;
- frontal, formed when two different-temperature air masses meet, are common in temperate and cold climates.
Summarize
The Earth's climate, characteristics and types of climatic precipitation are the basic concepts that we have considered. Based on the above, we can say that the Earth is a large system, each of the elements of which is directly or indirectly dependent on the others. This understanding of the issue regulates the use of integrated approaches when climate and types of precipitation are considered as areas of scientific interest. Only with a combined study of these factors can the correct answers to questions of interest to scientists be found.
Precipitation, atmosphere, weather and climate - all these concepts are closely interrelated. When studying, it is impossible to miss even one of the sections.
