Types of Precipitation

Front

What is precipitation?

Back

Precipitation is water that falls from the atmosphere to Earth's surface, which can be in liquid (like rain) or solid (like snow) form.

Front

Name two forms of solid precipitation.

Back

Hail and sleet are two forms of solid precipitation.

Front

What type of precipitation occurs when temperatures are below freezing?

Back

Snow is the type of precipitation most likely to occur when the cloud and air temperatures are below freezing.

Front

What is hail?

Back

Hail is a type of solid precipitation that forms in layers as it is carried up and down within a thundercloud.

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

How does hail form?

Back

Hail forms when updrafts in thunderstorms carry water droplets upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere, causing them to freeze.

Front

What is the difference between rain and snow?

Back

Rain is liquid precipitation that occurs when temperatures are above freezing, while snow is solid precipitation that occurs when temperatures are below freezing.

Front

What temperature does water freeze?

Back

Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

Front

What happens to hail when it hits the ground?

Back

When hail hits the ground, it can create damage due to its size and weight, and it may break apart.

Front

What is the role of temperature in determining the type of precipitation?

Back

Temperature determines whether precipitation falls as rain (above freezing) or as solid forms like snow, sleet, or hail (below freezing).