6 Questions
What is the primary reason for the formation of towering thunderstorm clouds in convectional rainfall?
Condensation of water vapour due to cooling of air
What happens to the air as it rises in convectional rainfall?
It becomes less dense and cooler
Which of the following is an example of orographic rainfall?
Monsoon rains in the Western Ghats
What is the term for the areas that lie on the leeward side of the Western Ghats and receive less rain?
Rain shadow regions
What is the primary cause of orographic rainfall?
Moisture-laden winds encountering mountains
Which type of clouds are formed in convectional rainfall?
Cumulonimbus clouds
Study Notes
Convectional Rainfall
- Occurs in equatorial and tropical climates where intense heating of the Earth's surface takes place during the day
- Heating of the land causes the air above to rise, making it less dense and cooler
- As the air cools, condensation occurs since cool air cannot hold as much water vapour as warm air
- Towering thunderstorm clouds (cumulonimbus clouds) are formed, leading to heavy downpours when the weight of the water exceeds the cloud's capacity
Orographic Rainfall
- Caused by the relief or orography of the land
- Moisture-laden winds are forced to rise up along the slope of mountains or hills, resulting in cooling and condensation
- Heavy rain occurs when the air reaches the dew point and the clouds are no longer able to hold the water
- Examples of orographic rainfall include the Monsoon rains in India, particularly along the Western Ghats and the Himalayan foothills
- The windward side of mountain ranges receives copious rainfall, while the leeward side, such as Coimbatore, receives less rain and is known as a rain shadow region
Learn about the process of convectional rainfall in equatorial and tropical climates, its causes, and formation of towering thunderstorm clouds. Understand how heating of the Earth's surface leads to condensation and cloud formation.
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