Types of Precipitation
Relief Precipitation
This type of rainfall is caused by winds carrying air up
and over a mountain barrier. It is the high mountains of the
Western Cordillera that cause the large amount of precipitation
along Canada’s west coast.
Define – windward, leeward and rainshadow
Convectional Precipitation
The earth’s hot surface heats the air above it, forcing it to
rise causing precipitation. This is the common cause of the very
large amount of precipitation in the tropics. It can also cause
summer rains in many parts of Canada.
Cyclonic Precipitation
Moving masses of warm and cold air causes this type of
precipitation. The leading fronts of these air masses collide,
pushing one up and the other down causing rainfall. Cyclonic
precipitation occurs all year long, all over Canada.