Relief Rain Process Quiz

Relief Rain

• Moist air is forced to rise over mountains, resulting in rainfall
• Example: Mountains in the west of Ireland, where moist air blows in from the Atlantic Ocean
• The process of relief rain involves:
  • Warm, moist air being blown in from the sea
  • Air rising over mountains, cooling, and condensing, resulting in cloud formation and rain
  • Air losing most of its moisture, sinking, and warming, leading to less rainfall
  • Creation of a rain shadow, which receives less rain

Rain Shadow

• An area in the sheltered (or leeward) side of mountains that receives less rain than the windward side
• Created when air loses most of its moisture and sinks, resulting in less rainfall

Convectional Rain

• Caused by the sun heating the earth, resulting in warm, light air rising
• Examples: Along the equator on most days, and in Ireland during a hot summer (a sun shower)
• The process of convectional rain involves:
  • Ground being warmed by the sun
  • Air being warmed by the ground, rising, and cooling
  • Condensation occurring, resulting in rain

Cyclonic Rain

• Caused by the meeting of two air masses: a cold and a warm air mass
• Example: Low pressure or depression over Ireland
• Results in rainfall due to the collision of the two air masses