Hydrology EESC BC 3025

Atmospheric moisture, condensation, and precipitation

Moisture in the atmosphere

Condensation and Precipitation

condensation: precipitation:

clouds and precipitation

  • explanantion of processes through the vapor pressure diagram (Fig): air rising => expansion => adiabatical (= no heat exchange with environment) cooling => condensation
  • example: humidity and temperature for Black Rock Forest (Fig)
  • at T>0oC: warm cloud process: condensation, gradual growth of water droplets by condensation, collision  and coalescence
  • at T<0oC: cold cloud process: involves also the formation and growth of ice crystals (Fig)
  • two extra factors are needed to form precipitation:
  • warm cloud process

    cold cloud process

    Precipitation patterns

    Point measurements of precipitation



    Resources