Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2021 August 29

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August 29[edit]

How can low pressure area over oceans create rainfall in coastal areas?[edit]

I didn't understand the relation between pressure area and rainfall. I believe rainfall just a Precipitation product. Then why this page say different to what I believe? Rizosome (talk) 03:42, 29 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hello, Rizosome. This website gives a good introductory explanation. I am not an expert, but my understanding is that extremely moist air masses usually accumulate over seas and oceans, which make sense. Low pressure areas draw in these moist air masses, and the low pressure also causes these air masses to rise much higher in the atmosphere, and the higher you go, the colder it gets. Liquid water or ice crystals condense out of moist air as it cools. The result is rain and snow. Prevailing winds often carry these weather systems over land masses. If there are mountains along these coastlines, they will also force the air masses even higher. That additional height intensifies the rain and snow. If my remark is not accurate, I am sure that a smarter editor will correct me. Cullen328 Let's discuss it 04:01, 29 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Related: atmospheric river. Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 18:45, 29 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]