Types of Rainfall

Question 1

Orographic / Relief Rainfall

Answer 1

1) Warm, moist air from the ocean rises up over the mountains
2) The air cools, condenses, forms clouds and rains
3) Once the clouds reach the other side of the mountain, the dry air sinks and begins to warm
4) This creates a dry area called a rain shadow

Question 2

Frontal Rainfall

Answer 2

1) Occurs when a cold front meets a warm font. The heavier, colder air sinks to the bottom and the warm air rises above it
2) As the warm air rises, it cools
3) This colder air condenses to form clouds
4) These clouds then bring heavy rain.

Question 3

Convectional Rainfall

Answer 3

1) Occurs when the sun heats the land
2) This creates rising pockets of warm air, also known as convection currents
3) This warm air rises rapidly, where it cools and condenses to form clouds
4) These clouds then let out heavy rain

Question 4

Why does convectional rainfall occur in rainforests?

Answer 4

1) In the rainforest there is lots of intense sunlight
2) The ground surface therefore becomes overheated
3) The air is heated and it begins to rise
4) As the air rises, it cools, condenses to form clouds, and rains