Rainfall can be classified into three main types based on how it occurs:
1. Conventional Rainfall: This type occurs when the sun heats the Earth’s surface, causing water to evaporate. The warm, moist air rises, cools, and condenses into clouds. When the droplets become heavy enough, they fall as rain. This is common in tropical areas and during hot summer days.
2. Orographic Rainfall: This happens when moist air is forced to rise over a mountain range. As the air ascends, it cools and condenses, leading to rain on the windward side of the mountain. The leeward side, known as the rain shadow, receives much less rainfall.
3. Frontal Rainfall: This type occurs when two air masses with different temperatures and humidity levels meet. The warmer, moist air is forced to rise over the cooler, denser air. As it rises, it cools and condenses to form clouds and rain. This is common in temperate regions and is often associated with weather fronts.
