Rainfall (Leaving Cert Geography): Flashcards
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15 cards from this deck
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Practise the cards
15 cards from this deck
Define precipitation
Define precipitation
Any form of water (liquid or solid) falling from atmosphere to Earth's surface
4 types of precipitation
4 types of precipitation
Rainfall, snow, sleet, hail
What is dew point?
What is dew point?
Temp. where air can't hold more moisture & condensation begins
3 mechanisms causing rainfall
3 mechanisms causing rainfall
Relief, frontal, convectional
Define relief rainfall
Define relief rainfall
Rainfall in mountains when moist air rises & cools over barrier
Windward side in relief rainfall
Windward side in relief rainfall
Side facing prevailing wind that receives rainfall
What is rain shadow?
What is rain shadow?
Dry area on leeward side of mountain with little rainfall
Define frontal rainfall
Define frontal rainfall
Rainfall when warm & cold air masses collide
What is a weather front?
What is a weather front?
Boundary zone between warm & cold air masses
Warm front characteristics
Warm front characteristics
Steady, light to moderate rainfall; gentle slopes; overcast
Cold front characteristics
Cold front characteristics
Intense but short-lived rainfall with thunderstorms
Define convectional rainfall
Define convectional rainfall
Rainfall from ground heating causing warm air to rise
Updraught in convectional rainfall
Updraught in convectional rainfall
Rising warm air that's lighter & less dense than cold air
Cumulonimbus clouds
Cumulonimbus clouds
Tall, towering clouds from convectional rainfall w/ heavy rain
Where convectional rainfall occurs in Ireland
Where convectional rainfall occurs in Ireland
Eastern & central areas, especially in summer