Chapter_07_Precipitation Flashcards
What is the main process forming precipitation in warm clouds?
Collision-coalescence process.
Define Bergeron process.
Ice-crystal growth by deposition at the expense of supercooled water droplets in cold clouds.
What distinguishes rain from drizzle?
Rain has drops ≥ 0.5 mm; drizzle has smaller droplets.
What conditions favor hail formation?
Strong updrafts in cumulonimbus clouds.
How is snowfall intensity determined?
By surface visibility, not actual snow accumulation rate.
Define virga.
Precipitation evaporating before reaching the ground, appearing as streaks.
What is cloud seeding?
A weather modification technique to enhance precipitation by introducing condensation nuclei.
Why do cloud droplets not always form precipitation?
Cloud droplets need to grow significantly through coalescence or ice-crystal processes, which isn’t guaranteed.
What are ice nuclei?
Particles that initiate ice crystal formation.
Explain why raindrops are not tear-shaped.
Air resistance flattens them, creating a spherical or slightly flattened shape.
