Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
and orographic precipitation as interrelated mechanisms of rainfall rather than classifying
them into these types. More information about the effects of orography on precipitation
can be found in Chapter 5.
Figure 4.8
Production of greater rainfall over hills as a
result of forced ascent and extra seeding of the orographic
cloud.
CONCLUSION
In this chapter we have followed the exchange and movements of moisture between
Earth's surface and the atmosphere. Their effect upon the climate is obvious. But
precipitation is also important in other ways. It is a major component of the hydrological
cycle which portrays the movement of water around the globe. Rainfall also takes part in
many of the processes that build our landscape; plants and animals are also highly
dependent upon precipitation. Therefore in the next chapter we will examine the question
of types of precipitation and follow its spatial variability on Earth's surface.
FURTHER READING
Mason, B. J. (1975)
Clouds, Rain and Rain-making
, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. A
combination of elementary and advanced ideas about rain formation. Only for those who want
to go into more detail, especially about the microphysics of clouds and precipitation.
McIlveen, R. (1992)
Fundamentals of Weather and Climate
, second edition, London: Chapman &
Hall (chapters 5 and 6). Elementary to intermediate-level text that provides a useful explanation
of stability and moisture with only limited maths and physics.
Schaefer, V. J., and Day, J. A. (1981)
A Field Guide to the Atmosphere
, Boston, MA: Houghton
Mifflin. A very interesting topic which stresses the visual approach to the atmosphere, hence the
emphasis on clouds. Strikes a nice balance between description and explanation.
