Scribd
Upload
21 views

Ch-15 Humidity

The document discusses humidity, defining it as the amount of water vapor in the air, and differentiates between absolute and relative humidity. It explains the processes of evaporation and condensation, their conditions, and various forms of condensation such as clouds, dew, fog, and frost. Additionally, it covers precipitation types and rainfall mechanisms, including relief, convectional, and cyclonic rainfall.

Uploaded by

sambraut13
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
21 views

Ch-15 Humidity

The document discusses humidity, defining it as the amount of water vapor in the air, and differentiates between absolute and relative humidity. It explains the processes of evaporation and condensation, their conditions, and various forms of condensation such as clouds, dew, fog, and frost. Additionally, it covers precipitation types and rainfall mechanisms, including relief, convectional, and cyclonic rainfall.

Uploaded by

sambraut13
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Ch-15 Humidity

1. Humidity

● Humidity refers to the amount of water vapour present in the air.


● Absolute Humidity is the actual amount of water vapour in air (g/m³).
● Relative Humidity (RH) is the ratio (in %) of absolute humidity to the maximum
moisture air can hold at a given temperature.
● RH Formula:
RH = (Actual water vapour / Water holding capacity) × 100
● Dew Point: The temperature at which air becomes fully saturated (RH = 100%) and
condensation begins.
● Measurement: A hygrometer or dry and wet bulb thermometer is used to measure
humidity.

2. Evaporation
● Evaporation is the process by which liquid water changes to water vapour.
● Factors affecting evaporation:
○ Humidity: Dry air promotes more evaporation.
○ Heat: Higher temperatures increase evaporation.
○ Wind: Strong winds accelerate evaporation.
● Evaporation requires heat (600 calories per gram of water) and causes a cooling
effect.

3. Condensation

● Condensation is the process where water vapour turns into liquid or ice due to
cooling.
● Conditions for condensation:
○ High water vapour content in the air.
○ Presence of condensation nuclei (dust, smoke, salt particles).
○ Temperature falling below the dew point.

4. Forms of Condensation
● Clouds: Formed when water vapour condenses around dust particles.
○ Types of clouds:
- Cirrus: Thin, wispy, high-altitude.
- Cumulus: Puffy, cauliflower-like, may bring rain.
- Stratus: Layered, spread out.
● Dew: Water droplets forming on surfaces when air cools below the dew point.
● Fog & Mist: Tiny water droplets suspended near the ground, reducing visibility.
● Frost: Ice crystals forming when condensation occurs below freezing
temperatures.
5. Precipitation

● Precipitation is the falling of condensed water droplets to the ground in liquid or


solid form.
● Forms of precipitation:
○ Rain: Liquid water droplets falling from clouds.
○ Snow: Ice crystals forming when temperatures are below freezing.
○ Hail: Ice pellets formed by strong updrafts in clouds.

6. Types of Rainfall

● Relief (Orographic) Rainfall: Occurs when moist air rises over mountains, cools,
and condenses (e.g., Western Ghats in India).
● Convectional Rainfall: Caused by intense heating of the ground, leading to rising
moist air (e.g., Equatorial regions like the Amazon).
● Cyclonic (Frontal) Rainfall: Occurs when warm and cold air masses meet, forcing
warm air to rise, leading to condensation and rain (e.g., UK and mid-latitudes).

1. Frost

● Definition: Frost forms when water vapour freezes into ice crystals at ground level
due to very low temperatures.
● Effects: Harmful to plants.

2. Fog and Mist


● Fog:
○ Suspended water droplets close to the earth’s surface.
○ Forms when the ground cools rapidly at night, lowering the temperature below the
dew point.
○ Visibility: Less than 1 km.
● Mist:
○ Less dense than fog.
○ Visibility: Up to 2 km.

3. Precipitation

● Definition: When condensed water (rain, snow, sleet, hail) falls to the ground.
● Condition: Water droplets must combine to form large, heavy drops.

Types of Precipitation:
● Rain: Most common; light rain is called drizzle.
● Snow: Water droplets freeze at high altitudes.
● Hail: Ice pellets form due to strong vertical air currents (damaging to crops).

4. Types of Rainfall

A. Relief (Orographic) Rainfall

● Cause: Warm, moist air rises over mountains → cools → condenses → rains on
windward side.
● Effects:
○ Windward side: Heavy rainfall.
○ Leeward side: Dry due to warming and evaporation (Rain Shadow Area).
● Examples:
○ India: Western Ghats, Himalayas.
○ World: Eastern Brazil, East China, SE USA.

B. Convectional Rainfall

● Cause: Intense heating makes air rise → cools → condenses → heavy rain.
● Occurs in: Equatorial regions (Amazon, Congo).
● Features:
○ Happens in the afternoon (4 O’clock Showers).
○ Often with thunder and lightning.
○ Annual rainfall > 200 cm.

C. Cyclonic (Frontal) Rainfall

● Cause: Two air masses (warm & cold) meet → warm air rises → cools →
condensation → rain.
● Occurs in:
○ Tropical cyclones (heavy but short duration).
○ Temperate depressions (continuous drizzle for days, e.g., Western Europe).

You might also like