How do updrafts play a role in the formation of precipitation?
1 Answer
Dec 21, 2015
The greater the updrafts the larger the precipitation particles.
Explanation:
In precipitation formation there are a few processes occurring to increase the size of the precipitation particles. Gravity works on all the particles but updrafts work against gravity. The stronger the updraft the larger the particle it can support against gravity. So in weak updrafts we end up with small particles like drizzle and snow grains. In strong updrafts we get rain and snow. In really strong updrafts that occur over 1,000's of ft like in a cumulonimbus cloud, we can get really large precipitation like hail.
