Cloud Formation and Precipitation

Clouds are formed as the water vapors have overreached the saturation value and the water vapor condenses (Answers, 2008). Once the eater condenses, the water forms into minute particles (University of Wisconsin-Madison). Water, by the processes of evaporation and transpiration, is lifted into the atmosphere (Missouri Botanical Garden, 2008). As the water vapors join the particles in the atmosphere, these in turn form clouds (Missouri, 2008). The water vapors rise into the atmosphere and then condenses to create clouds (Prince Edawrd Island). The particles that the ater vapors attach themselves to may be in solid or liquid form (Wisconsin).

The liquid particles in the air are termes as “cloud droplets”, while the solid particles are called “ice crystals” (Wisconsin). As the materials for the formation of clouds mainly consist of water, it should be noted that in the desert, there are hardly any clouds since water is almost non-existent in that area (Missouri, 2008). A simpler explanation on the formation of clouds would define it as the rising and dropping of the air's temperature caused by the following factors (Water Encyclopedia, 2007).

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The probability of cloud formation and the resulting precipation is dependent on the amount of water that is in the air (Wisconsin).

The process of lifting, also termed as adiabatic cooling, is the most frequent manner for cloud formation (Wisconsin). An adiabatic temperature change is when a cluster of air undergoes a rising or falling in its temperature (The Weather Prediction). There are various methods that cause the rise of air into the atmosphere (Water Encyclopedia, 2007). The process of convection begins when sunlight heats up the ground, and the air warmed by the sunlight rises, losing heat as it goes higher into the atmosphere (Water Encyclopedia, 2007).

If the mass of air is met by a high topographical feature, such as a mountain, the air alos loses heat or orographical lifting (Water Encyclopedia, 2007). When the air cluster is hit by a low-pressure area, the air is forced upward, or by convergence (Water Encyclopedia, 2007).

References

Missouri Botanical Garden. (2008). Cloud formation.

Retrieved September 12, 2008, from http://www. mbgnet. net/fresh/cycle/clouds. htm Prince Edawrd Island. (n. d. ).

The water cycle. Retrieved September 12, 2008, from http://www. edu. pe. ca/gulfshore/watercyc/jenn. htm

University of Wisconsin-Madison. (n. d. ). Cloud formation.

Retrieved September 12, 2008, from http://cimss. ssec. wisc. edu/satmet/modules/clouds/cloudformation. html Water Encyclopedia. (2007).

Precipitation and clouds, formation of. Retrieved September 12, 20008, from http://www. waterencyclopedia. com/Po-Re/Precipitation-and-Clouds-Formation- of. html Yahoo! Answers. (2008).

How is air temperature, pressure, and density are related to cloud formation?

Retrieved September 12, 2008, from http://answers. yahoo. com/question/index? qid=20080622192757AAEFnFC