Themes > Science > Earth Sciences > Hydrology, Meteorology, Climatology > Meteorology / Climatology > Clouds and Precipitation > Precipitation

When cloud particles become too heavy to remain suspended in the air, they fall to the earth as precipitation. Precipitation occurs in a variety of forms; hail, rain, freezing rain, sleet or snow. This portion of the Clouds and Precipitation module focuses on precipitation and has been organized into the following sections.

Sections
Latest Update: 07/21/97
Rain and Hail
Atmospheric conditions that lead to the development of rain and hail.

Freezing Rain
A detailed look at freezing rain, associated dangers and the conditions that lead to its development.

Sleet
Atmospheric conditions that lead to the development of sleet.

Snow
Atmospheric conditions that lead to the development of snow.


Information provided by: http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu