Rain: What is it, how it is formed, types and how it is measured

Rain is a natural phenomenon that occurs when Water vapor In the atmosphere is condensed in clouds and form Light water drops to fall to the ground.

The rain can vary in intensity. From a light drizzle that barely wets the ground, to intense storms that can cause floods. Although sometimes it can be annoying or inconvenient, it is vital for life on the planet, since it guarantees that plants, animals, people and other living beings have the water they need to survive. Therefore, rain It is part of the water cycle and is essential so that life is as we know it. Here you can learn about what the water cycle is.

The formation of the rain follows a cyclical process that is part of the water cycle.

1. Evaporation

This cycle begins with evaporation, which occurs when the sun heats the surface of the water in oceans, rivers, lakes and even on the wet ground. Water becomes steam and rises To the atmosphere, where temperatures are colder.

In this other post you can learn more information about what evaporation of water and examples is.

2. Condensation

As steam ascends, cooling. This process leads to condensation, which is when water vapor is transformed again into small liquid drops. These droplets are grouped around microscopic particles suspended in the air, such as dust, sea salt or smoke. This grouping of water and particles shape The clouds.

In this link you will know more about what is condensation of water and examples and here on how clouds are formed.

3. Precipitation

Over time, water drops inside the clouds They grow when colliding among themselves, and when they do sufficiently large and heavythey cannot be kept in suspension. So, precipitation happens, that is, drops They fall towards the Earth surface in the form of rain, snow or hail, depending on the air temperature as they descend. In the case of rain, drops fall into liquid state. When they reach the ground, that water can flow to rivers and oceans or infiltrate the ground to feed the groundwater, thus closing the water cycle, because from there it will evaporate again.

Here you can learn more about the types of rainfall.

There are several types of rain, which differ according to their origin and the atmospheric conditions in which they are formed:

Convective rain

This type of rain occurs when hot and humid air rises rapidly, due to the energy of the sun that heats the earth’s surface. As the air rises, cools and water vapor condenses in drops that form clouds and finally precipitate. It is common in tropical areas and during the warmer months of the year, and usually occurs in the form of intense storms, although brief.

Orographic rain

The orographic rain occurs when humid air is forced to ascend by the presence of a mountain or mountain range. When climbing, the air cools and the water vapor condenses, forming clouds and precipitation. This type of rain is frequent in mountainous areas, where one side of the mountain, the one that faces the wind, receives a lot of rain (known as the “Barlovento side”), while the opposite side (the “background side”) is drier, giving rise to phenomena such as “rain shadows.”

Front rain

It occurs when two air masses of different temperatures are found. Normally, a warm air mass is found with a mass of cold air. Warm air, being less dense, is forced to climb on cold air. As the warm air rises, cools and the water vapor condenses, generating rain. This type of precipitation is usually longer and less intense than convective rain.

Drizzle

The drizzle are very small drops of water that fall slowly and continuously, generally without reaching much intensity. It usually occurs in lower layers of the atmosphere when the clouds are low and thin. Although it is not intense, the drizzle can last a long time, moistening the environment without becoming significant puddles.

Showers

Chubascos are heavy, but brief rains, who fall suddenly and can cease in a matter of minutes. They are often associated with cumulonimbus clouds, the same that generate storms. Although a shower can be short, it can bring a lot of water in a short time.

You can learn more about the showers: what they are and how they form.

Storms

Storms are a type of convective rain, but much more intense. They are accompanied by strong winds, thunder, lightning and sometimes hail. These rains can become torrential and generate large accumulations of water in short periods, causing floods in some areas.

In this link you can inform yourself more about torrential rain: causes, consequences and what to do.

He rain gauge It is the most common instrument to measure rain. It consists of a cylinder that collects rainwater Inside. The amount of accumulated water is measured in millimeters (mm)which is the standard unit for the measurement of precipitation. A millimeter of rain means that a liter of water has fallen for each square meter of surface. The rainfall is simple, but very precise.

The rain has a wide range of consequences, both positive and negative, depending on its intensity, duration and the region where it occurs:

Positive consequences of rain

• Water resources recharge: Rain is a crucial source of fresh water. When falling, the rivers, lakes and underground aquifers have resumed, which is essential for the supply of drinking water and for agricultural and industrial activities. Here you can learn more about water resources: what are, examples and importance.
• Natural soil fertilization: The rain helps transport nutrients from the air and the upper layers of the soil to the plants, benefiting its growth.
• Ecosystems maintenance: Many ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands and meadows, depend on the rain for their survival. Plants and animals need the water that the rain provides to stay hydrated, grow and reproduce. In addition, the rain regulates the local climate, maintaining the necessary balance for wildlife.
• Air pollution reduction: The rain acts as a natural cleaner of the atmosphere, dragging dust particles, pollen and other contaminants towards the ground. This improves air quality, which is especially beneficial in urban or industrialized areas, where pollution can be a significant problem.

Negative consequences of rain

• Floods: Intense or long -lasting rains can saturate the soil and overflow rivers and lakes, causing floods. Floods can cause serious damage to homes, infrastructure, crops and roads.
• Earth landslides: When the rain falls into mountainous or steep grounds, it can saturate the ground and make it unstable. This can cause land landslides, which are bugs of large masses of land and rocks that can destroy roads, buildings and crops, in addition to endangering human lives.
• Soil erosion: Intense rain, especially in naked or low vegetation grounds, can cause soil erosion. Rain drops hit the ground with force, dragging earth particles towards rivers and streams.

Now that you know more about what rain is, how its guys are formed, how it is measured and its consequences, we encourage you to read this other ecology article about the petricor or smell of rain: what is it, where it comes from and why we like it.

If you want to read more articles similar to Rain: What is it, how it is formed, types and how it is measuredwe recommend that you enter our category of meteorological phenomena.