Precipitation
rain, snow, sleet, or hail
Precipitation is a process in which water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere become too heavy to remain suspended and fall to the ground. This can occur in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
The process of precipitation begins with the formation of clouds. When water vapor in the atmosphere cools and condenses, it forms tiny droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air. These droplets or crystals collide and stick together, increasing in size and becoming heavier.
Once the droplets or crystals become too heavy to stay suspended, they fall to the ground. The type of precipitation that falls depends on the temperature of the air through which it falls. If the temperature is above freezing, the precipitation will fall as rain. If the temperature is at or below freezing, the precipitation will fall as snow, sleet, or hail.
Factors that can affect precipitation include temperature, pressure, wind, and humidity. Different regions of the world receive different amounts of precipitation due to these factors and local geography. Precipitation is essential to sustain life on Earth and is an important component of the water cycle.
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