sademeid

Sademeid is an Estonian term used in meteorology and hydrology to refer to precipitation, the set of forms in which moisture in the atmosphere falls to the Earth’s surface. This includes rain, snow, sleet, hail, drizzle, and freezing rain. In scientific and practical contexts, sademeid is often discussed in terms of amount, distribution, and intensity, with the phrase sademete hulk meaning the total precipitation.

Measurement and data collection are central to studying sademeid. Precipitation is typically measured in millimeters of liquid water equivalent, using rain gauges and tipping-bucket devices. Radar and satellite observations supplement ground measurements and improve weather forecasting and climate analyses. Long-term records of sademeid underpin climatological studies, revealing seasonal cycles, regional differences, and trends related to climate variability and change.

Types and processes vary with atmospheric conditions. Rain consists of liquid drops; snow forms from frozen crystals; sleet and freezing rain occur near the freezing point with mixed-phase layers; hail results from strong convective storms that lift water droplets above the freezing level. The distribution of sademeid is influenced by geography, topography, and prevailing winds, with higher totals common in tropical and temperate regions and arid zones receiving little precipitation.

Impacts of sademeid are wide-ranging, affecting agriculture, water resources, flood risk, and urban infrastructure. Changes in the frequency, intensity, and timing of precipitation are important considerations in climate research, water management, and disaster preparedness.

See also: Meteorology, Hydrology, Climate, Rain gauge, Weather radar.