precipitaatioon

Precipitation is a fundamental meteorological term referring to any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls from clouds. This can take various forms, depending on the atmospheric temperature profile. The most common forms include rain, which is liquid water droplets, and snow, which are ice crystals. Other forms include sleet, a mixture of rain and snow, and hail, which are solid lumps of ice formed within thunderstorms.

The process begins with evaporation, where water turns into vapor and rises into the atmosphere. As this moist air cools, condensation occurs, forming tiny water droplets or ice crystals that aggregate to create clouds. When these particles become sufficiently heavy, gravity overcomes the updrafts that keep them suspended, and they fall to the Earth's surface as precipitation. The amount and type of precipitation are influenced by factors such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, and the availability of condensation nuclei. Precipitation plays a critical role in the Earth's water cycle, replenishing freshwater sources and supporting ecosystems.