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Geography of Western Canada
Precipitation
Precipitation
• The amount of precipitation a location receives depends on its distance from the sea and the prevailing winds
• Precipitation = drizzle, showers, heavy rain, hail, or snow — all have an impact on the location they fall
• Western Canada experience three types: orographic, convectional, and frontal
Orographic Precipitation
Orographic Precipitation
• The prevailing winds blow moist air onshore
• As the air hits higher land, the air is forced to rise
• When air rises it begins to cool
• When it can no longer hold all its water; it starts to condense and form clouds
• Orographic = affected by mountains
Convectional Precipitation
Convectional Precipitation
• Water in the ocean and lakes is warmed by the sun
• The air above becomes heated
• This makes the air less dense, so it rises; as it rises it cools
• Cool air can not hold as much water vapour = condensation occurs, gradually becoming clouds
Frontal Precipitation
Frontal Precipitation
• Two air masses of warm and cold air meet, causing a front
• When they meet, the less dense, warm air is forced above the denser, heavier cold air
• When air can no longer hold its water, clouds form