More Questions from Water Resources Engineering

Precipitation caused by lifting of an air mass due specifically to pressure differences and atmospheric disturbances is termed as which type of precipitation?

Civil Engineering Water Resources Engineering Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
  • A
    Cyclonic precipitation
  • B
    Convective precipitation
  • C
    Orographic precipitation
  • D
    None of these

Answer

Correct Answer: Cyclonic precipitation

Explanation

Introduction / Context:Classifying precipitation mechanisms helps interpret storm patterns and design hydrologic structures. The lifting mechanism of the air mass determines the precipitation type.

Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Lifting of air due to pressure differences and frontal systems.
  • Distinguish from thermal and orographic lifting.

Concept / Approach:Three broad precipitation mechanisms: cyclonic (frontal) due to pressure systems, convective due to surface heating and buoyancy, and orographic due to terrain forcing.

Step-by-Step Solution:Identify key phrase: pressure difference causes large-scale ascent.Cyclonic or frontal systems create pressure gradients and convergence lifting air masses along fronts.Therefore, precipitation is classified as cyclonic.

Verification / Alternative check:Weather charts show fronts and low-pressure centers inducing widespread stratiform precipitation typical of cyclonic systems.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Convective: driven by strong surface heating, not primarily pressure gradients.
  • Orographic: driven by airflow over topography.

Common Pitfalls:

  • Misreading pressure-driven lifting as convective because both can produce heavy rain.

Final Answer:Cyclonic precipitation

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