Precipitation and Atmospheric
Moisture
I. The Hydrologic Cycle
II. Moisture in the Air
A. Importance of Temperature
B. Saturation
C. Dew Point
D. Humidity
1. Definition
2. Relative Humidity
3. Specific Humidity
E. Relative Evaporation Rates
F. Dry and Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rates
G. Stability and Instability
III. Clouds
A. Composition
B. Precipitation
C. Types of Clouds
1. Cirrus
2. Stratus
3. Cumulus
4. Nimbus
5. Alto
6. Other
D. Fog
IV. Localized Precipitation
A. Convectional Precipitation
1. Definition
2. Process
3. Location
B. Orographic Precipitation
1. Definition
2. Windward Side
3. Leeward Side
V. Weather Systems
A. Source Regions
B. Frontal (Cyclonic) Precipitation
1. Definition
2. Cold Fronts
3. Warm Fronts
4. Stationary Fronts
5. Occluded Fronts
C. Tornadoes
1. Definition
2. Process and Location
D. Hurricanes
1. Definition
2. Process and Location
3. Damage