Why are there Differences in Precipitation?

Warm-up

• Where does rain come from and why does it rain?

Learning Targets

• Students create a model that shows how water continually cycles among land, ocean, and atmosphere via transpiration, evaporation, condensation and crystallization, and precipitation, as well as downhill flows on land.

Success Criteria

• I can identify the most important elements of the water cycle
• I can create a model (diagram) of the water cycle

Use the Following Terms to Create a Water Cycle Diagram

condensation – water vapor changing to a liquid state

evaporation – liquid turning into a vapor (gas)

precipitation – water falling from the sky in the form of rain, sleet, hail, or snow

runoff – rainwater that falls back into lakes, rivers, or streams soaking into the earth and becoming part of the groundwater

Are there any other terms you think should be included in a Water Cycle Diagram?

Water Cycle Websites

• Visit this site to view the different parts of the water cycle in detail.
• Visit this site to play a water cycle game.

Patterns of Precipitation

• Read Page 157-165 in the Weather Watch Text to find out more about patterns of precipitation.

The Rain Shadow Effect