GGR217H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Voronoi Diagram, Air Mass, Cool Air
Document Summary
Formation of water droplets and ice crystals takes place when the water in the atmosphere is cooled. Occurs when local surface heating makes air parcels warmer (less dense) than their environment, such that they rise and condense. Produce intense rain, often accompanied by thunder, lightning, and hail; localized and limited in areal extent. As the warm air goes down it picks up whatever moisture it can. Particularly strong effect when mountains border the coastline. Coastal range: warm, moist-laden ocean air hits range and is forced upward; rising air cools and losing its ability to retain moisture: results in heavy rainfall that feeds lush forests on western slopes. Interior b. c: on easter(cid:374) slopes, des(cid:272)e(cid:374)di(cid:374)g air (cid:271)e(cid:272)o(cid:373)es (cid:449)ar(cid:373)er a(cid:374)d retai(cid:374)s (cid:373)oisture. The rockies: further eastward, air recovers moisture, which falls as snow on the rockies. Wettest places in canada: moresby island bc: 6325 mm yr-1, hartley bay bc: 4673 mm yr-1. Cold front: leading edge of an advancing cold air mass.