SECTION 3.2: WEATHER FACTORS

Main Idea: Water vapor and wind currents form different patterns of precipitation. Landforms can also influence temperatures and precipitation.

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Read to Discover • What are the common forms of precipitation,

and how are they formed?• How do mountains and elevation affect

weather and climate?• What are the different types of storms, and

how do they form?

Formation of Precipitation

Rain Snow Sleet Hail

Condensationclouds, dew, fog, frostEvaporation Humidity

Precipitation • Evaporation- water changes liquid - solid • Humidity –amount of water vapor (water as gas)• Precipitation varies with air pressure.• High pressure zone little precipitation – ex polar

regions• Low pressure zone more precipitation –ex :rainforest

• Rain—Liquid formed through condensation of water vapor

• Snow—Ice crystals formed in clouds• Sleet—Rain that freezes as it falls• Hail—Chunks of ice formed in storm clouds

Forms of Precipitation

Elevation & Mountain Effects • Increase in elevation = drop in temperature.• Mountains =orographic effect: Moist air is pushed upward –

cooling= condensation, & precipitation.• Mountainside facing wind (air moving up) is the windward,

wetter side; side facing away from wind (other side )is the leeward, drier side, = rain shadow.

Storms • Storms-sudden violent weather events• Middle-latitude (ex: Missouri-tornados) storms form

when cold, dry polar air mixes with moist, warm tropical air. Examples include thunderstorms and tornadoes.

• Tropical storms are usually smaller and lack fronts. Examples include hurricanes and typhoons.– Weather satellites are used to predict hurricanes