| *2 : an [[act]], [[process]], or instance of precipitating; especially : the [[process]] of forming a precipitate | | *2 : an [[act]], [[process]], or instance of precipitating; especially : the [[process]] of forming a precipitate |
| *3 : something precipitated: as a : a deposit on the [[earth]] of hail, mist, rain, sleet, or snow; also : the [[quantity]] of [[water]] deposited | | *3 : something precipitated: as a : a deposit on the [[earth]] of hail, mist, rain, sleet, or snow; also : the [[quantity]] of [[water]] deposited |
| In meteorology, '''precipitation''' (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are [[atmospheric]] [[water]] [[phenomena]]) is any product of the [[condensation]] of atmospheric [[water]] vapor that is pulled down by [[gravity]] and deposited on the [[Earth]]'s [[surface]]. The main [[forms]] of precipitation include rain, snow, ice pellets, and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graupel graupel]. It occurs when the [[atmosphere]], a large [[gaseous]] solution, becomes [[saturated]] with [[water]] vapour and the water [[condenses]], falling out of solution (i.e., precipitates). Two [[processes]], possibly [[acting]] [[together]], can lead to [[air]] becoming [[saturated]]: cooling the air or adding [[water]] vapour to the air. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virga Virga] is precipitation that begins falling to the [[earth]] but evaporates before reaching the [[surface]]; it is one of the ways air can become [[saturated]]. Precipitation forms via collision with other rain drops or ice [[crystals]] within a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud cloud]. | | In meteorology, '''precipitation''' (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are [[atmospheric]] [[water]] [[phenomena]]) is any product of the [[condensation]] of atmospheric [[water]] vapor that is pulled down by [[gravity]] and deposited on the [[Earth]]'s [[surface]]. The main [[forms]] of precipitation include rain, snow, ice pellets, and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graupel graupel]. It occurs when the [[atmosphere]], a large [[gaseous]] solution, becomes [[saturated]] with [[water]] vapour and the water [[condenses]], falling out of solution (i.e., precipitates). Two [[processes]], possibly [[acting]] [[together]], can lead to [[air]] becoming [[saturated]]: cooling the air or adding [[water]] vapour to the air. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virga Virga] is precipitation that begins falling to the [[earth]] but evaporates before reaching the [[surface]]; it is one of the ways air can become [[saturated]]. Precipitation forms via collision with other rain drops or ice [[crystals]] within a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud cloud]. |