0
Rain and Flooding
Rain is a type of precipitation which is readily absorbed by the ground. However, flooding might occur if there is a downpour or heavy rain. Flooding can result in damage to property, illness and even death.
10,606 Questions
When its going to rain the sky is?
When it's going to rain, the sky is usually overcast and dark, with thick clouds blocking out the sun. This is because rain clouds are typically low in the atmosphere and full of moisture that causes them to appear darker.
What thunderhead usually means rain is coming?
A thunderhead is a type of cumulonimbus cloud associated with thunderstorms. These clouds are typically dense and towering, indicating strong upward motion and the potential for heavy rainfall, lightning, and thunder. When a thunderhead forms, it often signals that rain is imminent or already falling.
What does recharge mean in the water cycle?
In the water cycle, recharge refers to the process by which water is added to underground water resources, such as aquifers. This usually happens when precipitation infiltrates the ground and replenishes the groundwater supply. Recharge is important for maintaining water availability and sustaining ecosystems.
Why does glaciers cause floods?
A glacier is nothing more than a frozen river still moving. It might only move an inch or two per year, but it still moves and this ice will erode the ground and rock below it faster and more agressively than if it was just water. Its because glaciers also pick up and move the rocks that they run over and this gravel (chunks of rocks) can carve mountains down and cut valleys miles deep.Glaciers are huge chunks of snow and ice most time more than 1000 feet thick. They weigh huge amount and overtime become so condensed that they are harder than the rock they are on top of. They move at slow rates and the ice and erodes the rock into a fine powder that is then left behind. They erode the rock over hundreds of years and create huge valleys.The emerald lakes that form at the snouts of glaciers are a beautiful sight, but rapidly melting glaciers can cause these lakes to breach their walls, inundating villages downstream. To reduce the threat, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) monitor and drain some of these lakes.Melting of glaciers is perfectly normal. The only criterion is that falling snow must exceed the melting ice to sustain the glacier. Many people worldwide depend on melting glaciers for survival. All their freshwater needs are met by these melting glaciers year through. This is the water these people use for drinking and irrigation. If this source of fresh water were to stop it will create chaos. People will be forced to shift to places with other sources of freshwater. Certain nations depend a lot on the flow of this water for the production of electricity.
The overflow of water from melted ice into rivers can also cause flooding around the rivers. Villages that are set up around rivers could be destroyed when river banks burst. For example, according to a reporting by Newsweek, an increased rate of melting at the Colonia Glacier caused the flooding of Baker River in Chilean Patagonia in 2009, destroying roads, bridges and farms around the river.
One of the most obvious and well-known outcome of rapid glaciers melting is rising sea levels. The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has projected major changes in sea-level over the next 100 years if carbon dioxide levels continue to rise at the current rate. According to NASA, the average global sea level over the last century has risen by about 4 to 8 inches -- this means about 3.27mm per year. The rising sea level will cause flooding along coastal areas. Some cities and islands that are low lying can even get totally submerged.
Corals require sunlight for photosynthesis to survive and thrive but as the sea level rises from glaciers melting, insufficient sunlight reaches these corals. This will lead to the coral's deterioration (such as coral reef bleaching) and eventual death. Many marine species that depend on the corals for food will also die, or even become extinct. Read about endangered marine animals.
While melting glaciers are caused by global warming, glaciers melting can also impact the temperatures across the globe. Glaciers deflect almost 80% of the heat from the sun back into space. With the melting of ice glaciers, the earth below becomes exposed. There is less reflection of the sun's ray back into space and the glaciers absorb more heat, resulting in further increase in the global temperatures. A vicious cycle is created.
Almost 70% of our earth's surface is covered with water but most of this water is salt water. Freshwater makes up only about 2% of the water on this earth. A large proportion of the world's population depends on melting water from glaciers into lakes and rivers for freshwater supply. With glaciers melting at faster rate than what the rivers can normally hold, the fresh drinking water overflows into the sea and is wasted. The decreased mass of the shrinking glacier also spells water supply shortages in the near future. In fact, people living in the places near Himalayas are already facing water shortages.
Melting glaciers also affect the farmlands that depend highly on water emanating from ice glaciers. There will be a shortage of fresh water to these farms due to receding glaciers. Lack of availability of fresh water for irrigation will in turn reduce the farms' total agricultural output, spelling food shortages in those areas.
There are many animals, birds and fish that highly depend on glaciers for their survival. Animals like polar bears lose their habitats as the glaciers melt away. As some parts of the ice-land become ice-less and streams previously formed from melting ice dries out, the bears also loose their fishing grounds. Some of them starve to death.
Hydroelectricity plants depend solely on the constant flow of water for electricity generation. With melting glaciers, the long term flow of water through hydroelectricity plants located in the glacier regions would be reduced, reducing the efficiency of these plants to generate electricity. Lack of hydro electricity will put pressure on other sources, such as burning of fossil fuel, to produce electricity.
Ice weighs about one ton per cubic meter and glaciers are massive sheets of ice. The substantial weight of glaciers exerts enormous pressure on the earth, suppressing earthquakes. According to NASA, when this pressure is reduced as a result of glaciers melting, many geologic reactions like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis (caused by undersea earthquakes) can be triggered. This is because the tectonic plates are now free to move against one another, and the friction that results in the abrasion between plates can lead to earthquakes.
How does el nino affect weather in Idaho?
During an El Niño event, Idaho tends to experience milder and wetter winter conditions. This can lead to increased precipitation, warmer temperatures, and reduced snowpack in the region. Additionally, El Niño can influence the jet stream, potentially leading to more extreme weather patterns in Idaho.
You can use the graduated cylinder to represent a body of water. Start by filling the cylinder with water and placing a stopper on top to simulate a sealed environment. Warm the water to simulate evaporation, then watch as droplets collect on the walls of the cylinder to represent condensation. Finally, remove the stopper to allow the water droplets to fall back into the cylinder, mimicking precipitation in the water cycle.
What european country has the least rainfall?
Spain generally has the least rainfall among European countries, particularly in the southern region of Andalusia. Areas such as Almeria and Murcia are known for their arid climate and low precipitation levels.
What is the constant movement of water in continuous cycle through land sea air and living things?
The constant movement of water through the Earth's system in a continuous cycle is known as the water cycle. This cycle involves processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff, allowing water to move between the atmosphere, land, oceans, and living organisms. It plays a crucial role in maintaining Earth's ecosystems and supporting life.
Which type of rainfall occurring in equatorial region?
The type of rainfall occurring in the equatorial region is convectional rainfall. This is caused by the intense heating of the sun, which warms the air near the surface, leading to it rising rapidly and forming clouds that eventually result in heavy rainfall.
Why do you see a rainbow only after it rain?
A rainbow is created when sunlight is refracted and reflected off raindrops in the air. Raindrops act like tiny prisms, separating sunlight into its different colors. So, a rainbow can only be seen when there are raindrops in the air and sunlight at a specific angle.
The water cycle is the continuous process of water evaporating from the Earth's surface, condensing in the atmosphere to form clouds, and then falling back to Earth as precipitation, flowing into rivers and eventually returning to the oceans. This cycle is essential for distributing water around the planet and maintaining the balance of Earth's ecosystems.
Does rain fall from cumulonimbus clouds?
Yes, rain typically falls from cumulonimbus clouds, which are large, towering clouds associated with thunderstorms and heavy precipitation. These clouds are capable of producing intense rainfall, hail, and lightning.
What is the connection between severe storms and dew point?
Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor condenses from air of a given moisture content. When moist air gets lifted it cools and eventually reaches its dew point, causing the moisture to condense and form clouds. If there is enough energy in the air this condensation releases enormous amounts of energy that can power severe storms.
When it rain and the sky is blue what is it called?
When it rains and the sky is blue, it is typically referred to as a sun shower. This phenomenon occurs when rain falls while the sun is still shining and the sky is clear in some parts. It often creates a beautiful and unique juxtaposition of rain and sunshine.
Why does the sea water look blue?
Clear sea water is intrinsically blue.* The thicker the observed sample is, the bluer it looks. In smaller water basins, like tap water bath's and swimming pools, water appears colorless.
* Related Information:
The blue color is caused by selective absorption of infrared spectrum of the sun light.
Water doesn't derive its color from the blue sky. However, without sunlight water can't be seen as blue.
Impurities dissolved or suspended in water may give water different colored appearances, which is more often the case in sea water and lower lakes (greyish brown) than is ice lakes higher in the mountains (blue).
(cf. Related links for further detailed explanation on 'Why is water blue')
This has nothing to do with the blue sky color:
*The sky appears blue because blue light has a shorter wavelength than green and red light (blue light - 700nm, red light 400nm). Very small molecules in the atmosphere scatter blue light, where as green and red light passes straight through and we do not see it.
How does technology affect the water cycle?
Technology can impact the water cycle through activities like dam construction, groundwater extraction, and wastewater treatment. These activities can alter natural water flow patterns, affect water availability, and contribute to pollution. Monitoring technologies can help us understand these changes and manage water resources more sustainably.
Where does the phrase raining like cats and dogs come from?
The etymology of the phrase isn't known. From wikipedia, there are four theories:
* An email commonly circulated claimed that in 16th century Europe when peasant homes were commonly thatched, the home was constructed in such a manner that animals could crawl into the thatch and find shelter from the elements, and would fall out during heavy rain. Cats and dogs do not generally get into thatch. * Drainage systems on buildings in 17th century Europe were poor, and may have disgorged their contents during heavy showers, including the corpses of any animals that had accumulated in them. This occurrence is documented in Johnathan Swift's 1710 poem 'Description of a City Shower', in which he describes "Drowned puppies, stinking sprats, all drenched in mud,/Dead cats and turnip-tops come tumbling down the flood." * The Greek word Katadoupoi, referring to the waterfalls on the Nile, sounds similar to "cats and dogs" * The Greek phrase "kata doksa", which means "contrary to expectation" is often applied to heavy rain, but there is no evidence to support the theory that it was borrowed by English speakers.
Why do rain bearing clouds look black?
Why do white clouds look black ... I will answer with a question: Why do white kids try to look black?
So to answer your question the answer must be: Because it's the popular thing to do!
What does a rain cloud look like?
A rain cloud typically appears dark and thick with a gray or bluish color. It may cover a large portion of the sky and often has a flat or layered shape. As raindrops accumulate within the cloud, it grows larger and denser, eventually leading to precipitation.
What is Bonita Springs year to date rainfall?
I do not have real-time information on Bonita Springs' year-to-date rainfall. I recommend checking the website of the National Weather Service or a local weather station for the most up-to-date and accurate data on rainfall in Bonita Springs.
Why is it that water is cooler during night?
Because there is usually a lower temperature at night then in the day time.
Answer:
Water, during the day, picks up heat from the sun quicker thna it loses it to evaporation. Thus it stays warmer. At night the water tends to lose heat by evaporation as it ties to reach the wet bulb temperature of the air. This is usually cooler han the air temperature we record on a thermometer (dry bulb) so the water can get cooler than the air. The evaporation also cools the water (the hor molecules are the ones that evaporate).
Why does water eventually fall from clouds?
Water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water droplets as it cools and reaches saturation. When these droplets become large enough, they fall from clouds as precipitation such as rain or snow due to the force of gravity pulling them towards the Earth's surface.
What are rain or storm clouds?
Rain clouds, also known as nimbostratus clouds, are low- to mid-level clouds that bring precipitation. Storm clouds, such as cumulonimbus clouds, are tall and dense clouds that can bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and sometimes hail or even tornadoes. Both types of clouds are associated with weather systems that can produce significant precipitation and severe weather.
Which type if precipitation may contain acidic pollutants rain snow or sleet?
Acid rain typically refers to rain or snow that has higher acidity than normal due to pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. Sleet does not typically contain acidic pollutants.
Why the raindrop is spherical?
Raindrops are spherical due to surface tension. Surface tension causes the water molecules on the surface of the drop to attract each other, minimizing the surface area and forming a spherical shape, which is the most efficient way to contain the water molecules.
