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CHAPTER 2

WATER VAPOR,
PRECIPITATION AND
DISTRIBUTION OF
PRECIPITATION INPUT
Presented by:
Nieva, Rommel R.
2.1 Water Vapor
The fraction of water vapor in the atmosphere is
very small compared to quantities of other
gases present, but it is exceedingly important to
our way of life. Precipitation is derived from this
atmospheric water. The moisture content of the
air is also a significant factor in local
evaporation processes. Thus it is necessary for a
hydrologist to be acquainted with ways for
evaluating the atmospheric water vapor
content and to understand the thermodynamic
effects of atmospheric moisture
Amount of Precipitable Water

where:
W = presipitable water
z = height
ρw = the absolute humidity and W is the depth of precipitable
water in centimeters.
2.2 PRECIPITATION

Precipitation is the primary input vector of the hydrologic


cycle. Its forms are rain, snow, and hail and variations of
these such as drizzle and sleet. Precipitation is derived
from atmospheric water, its form and quantity thus being
influenced by the action of other climatic factors such as
wind, temperature, and atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric
moisture is a necessary but not sufficient condition for
precipitation.
Precipitation Types

Convective Precipitation
Convective precipitation is typical of the tropics and is
brought about by heating of the air at the interface with the
ground. This heated air expands with a resultant reduction in
weight.
Orographic Precipitation
Orographic precipitation results from the mechanical lifting
of moist horizontal air currents over natural barriers such as
mountain ranges.
Cyclonic Precipitation
Cyclonic precipitation is associated with the movement of air
masses from high-pressure regions to low-pressure regions.
These pressure differences are created by the unequal heating
of the earth's surface.
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorm cells develop from vertical air
movements associated with intense surface heating or
orographic effects. There are three primary stages in
the life history of a thunderstorm. These are the
cumulus stage, the mature stage, and the dissipating
stage.
2.3 DISTRIBUTION OF THE PRECIPITATION
INPUT
Total precipitation is distributed in numerous ways. That
intercepted by vegetation and trees may be equivalent o
the total precipitation input for relatively small storms.
Once interception storage is fillled. raindrops begin falling
from leaves and grass, where water stored on these
surfaces eventually becomes depleted through
evaporation. Precipitation that reaches the ground may
take several paths. Some water will fill depressions and
eventually evaporate; some will infiltrate the soil.

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