Précipitations

Précipitations refers to any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls from clouds from which it originated. Most commonly, it refers to rain, but it also includes snow, sleet, and hail. The process begins with evaporation of water from the Earth's surface, which then rises into the atmosphere. As the water vapor ascends, it cools and condenses around tiny particles, such as dust or salt, forming cloud droplets or ice crystals. When these droplets or crystals grow large enough, they fall to the Earth's surface as precipitation. The type of precipitation that reaches the ground depends on the temperature profile of the atmosphere. If the temperature from the cloud to the ground is above freezing, it will likely fall as rain. If it is below freezing throughout, it will be snow. Sleet forms when snowflakes melt and then refreeze before hitting the ground, while hail forms in strong updrafts within thunderstorms where ice pellets are repeatedly lifted and coated with supercooled water. Precipitation is a crucial component of the Earth's water cycle, replenishing freshwater sources and influencing weather patterns and ecosystems.