Precipitation

Definition:

To the precipitation In meteorology, all weather phenomena in which water from the atmosphere falls to the earth's surface or settles. The water can be both liquid and solid (see: state of aggregation). According to this definition, not only rain belongs to the precipitation. Rather, sleet, hail, snow, fog, dew and frost are also referred to as precipitation.
The frequency and the average amount of precipitation are prominent for the appropriate geographical areas. The precipitation is therefore decisive for the condition of the local climate. This aspect is particularly needed in relation to local agriculture, because fields dependent on rain only become realistic after a certain precipitation rate. When considering the zonal size of the earth, for example, it is possible to conclude that there is an average amount of precipitation.
The spatial distribution of precipitation is based on numerous laws. Thus, it is more likely that sea areas of the same latitude are more affected by precipitation than areas on the mainland. In addition, the precipitation rate in higher places depends on the strike direction to the dominant air flow. The rainfall in areas near the equator is comparatively high. The tropical areas in the east are even determined by average humidity throughout the year, whereas the western parts are wet only from summer to fall. In contrast, precipitation rates in non-equatorial areas (temperate zone) are rather low.
Interesting: Scientists have also been able to artificially produce precipitation by transporting several condensation nuclei into submerged clouds. For this purpose, the so-called hail flyers are used. However, these methods are too expensive to be an alternative to bringing precipitation to dry areas.

Different types of rainfall

precipitation	Illustration	description
rain		liquid water in drop form
snow		frozen water in ice crystal form
sleet		1-5mm large spheres of condensed water and frozen snow crystals
hail		frozen ice in spherical form, over 5mm diameter, z.T. Several small hailstones freeze together to form a large hailstone
Ripe		Deposition of ice crystals by resublimation of water vapor to ice
dew		condensed water from water vapor
fog wet		Liquid, condensed water droplets with a very small diameter

Comparison of rainfall (in mm) in different regions of the earth