Types of Rainfall

As per the major characteristics, we can classify the rainfall into three different types Convectional rainfall, Orographic or relief rainfall, and Cyclonic or frontal rainfall as mentioned below.

Convectional Rainfall

Convectional Rainfall occurs when the ground and the above air become warm due to sunlight. Gradually, the warm air rises and cools down. After this process, it forms clouds. If sufficient condensation occurs, the Convectional Rainfall starts.

Here are some major characteristics of the Convectional Rainfall as mentioned below:

• Convectional rainfall forms due to the convention of the currents.
• This type of rainfall occurs due to the moist atmosphere.
• When the temperature becomes so high, the warm air starts to rise. This process is known as the evaporation.
• After reaching a certain height, the warm air starts to cool down. After cooling down it expands gradually which leads to cumulus cloud formation.
• The intensity of this type of rain is unstable at its initial stage.
• Lightning and thunderstorms are very common due to the heavy rainfall.

Orographic or Relief Rainfall

Orographic or Relief Rainfall occurs when moist air rises over to the mountains or hills due to some force. After reaching a certain level. it cools down and condenses. After this process, it forms the cloud and rainfall happens.

Here are some major charcteristics of the Orographic or Relief Rainfall as mentioned below.

• Orographic or Relief Rainfall happens when moist air is lifted near the mountain.
• Orographic clouds are the reason for this type of rainfall.
• This type of rainfall happens with the wind mostly in the mountain areas.
• It is rapid for that this type of rainfall is uncontrollable.

Cyclonic or Frontal Rainfall

Cyclonic or Frontal Rainfall is a specific type of rainfall that happens when the warm moist air meets with the cold and dry air suddenly.

Here are some major charcteristics of the Cyclonic or Frontal Rainfall as mentioned below.

• Cyclonic or Frontal Rainfall majorly happens due to different cyclonic activities.
• It moves in a clock motion and it changes as per the hemisphere.
• Clockwise Cyclonic or Frontal Rainfall mostly happens in the southern hemisphere.
• Anti Clockwise Cyclonic or Frontal Rainfall mostly happens in the northern hemisphere.

Rainfall is a climatic condition when the amount of water falls as rain or snow over a specific location. Snowfall is one type of rainfall. According to the climate, time, and region the definition changes. When the atmospheric water vapor condenses into liquid water, it forms rain. Rain and rainfall both are important factors in the water cycle as the cycle deposits the the freshwater to the earth.

In this article, we are going to discuss the types of rainfall in detail.