Precipitation

Front

What is precipitation?

Back

Precipitation is any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from clouds and reaches the ground. It includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Front

What determines the type of precipitation that falls to the Earth?

Back

The type of precipitation depends primarily on temperature.

Front

What is snow?

Back

Snow is a type of precipitation that consists of ice crystals that fall from clouds when the temperature is below freezing.

Front

In which season is snow most commonly found?

Back

Snow is most common in winter.

Front

What is hail?

Back

Hail is a type of precipitation that consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice, typically occurring during thunderstorms.

Front

In which season is hail most likely to occur?

Back

Hail can usually only happen in summer.

Front

What is sleet?

Back

Sleet is a form of precipitation that consists of small ice pellets, which occur when raindrops freeze before reaching the ground.

Front

What is the water cycle?

Back

The water cycle is the continuous process by which water moves from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back, including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Front

What happens to rain when it falls through a cold layer of air?

Back

When rain falls through a cold layer of air, it can freeze and turn into sleet or snow.

Front

What is the difference between rain and snow?

Back

Rain is liquid water droplets that fall when temperatures are above freezing, while snow is frozen ice crystals that fall when temperatures are below freezing.