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CE-354
INTRODUCTION
The fall of moisture from atmosphere to the earth in any form is called
precipitation
Frontal Precipitation
Non-Frontal Precipitation
TYPES OF PRECIPITATION
Frontal precipitation
When two air masses having different temperatures
and humidity clash each other, condensation and
precipitation occur at the surface of contact. This
surface of contact is called Front or Frontal Surface
If a cold air mass drives out a warm air mass, it is
called Cold Front and if a warm air mass replaces
the retreating cold mass, it is called Warm Front
On the other hand if the two air masses are drawn
simultaneously towards a low pressure area, the
front developed is stationary and called Stationary
Front
TYPES OF PRECIPITATION
TYPES OF PRECIPITATION
Non-frontal Precipitation
In case of non-frontal precipitation,
the moist warm air mass is
stationary and moving cold air mass
meets it
Cyclones
During the summer monsoon season, the cyclonic storms reach Pakistan and
are fed with moisture from the Arabian sea resulting in heavy rainfall over the
Northern areas of Pakistan. In September, October and November these
storms are very destructive in Bangladesh.
Such storms cause considerable loss of life and property over the coastal
districts. Cyclonic storms also form in Arabian sea but their number is far
less.
MEASUREMENT OF PRECIPITATION
Amount of Precipitation
The amount of precipitation means the
vertical depth of water that would accumulate
on a level surface, if the precipitation remains
where it falls. The amount of precipitation is
measured in length units (inches, ft., cm.,
mm., etc)
Intensity or Rate of Precipitation
Amount of precipitation per unit time is
called the intensity or rate of precipitation
(mm/hour, etc.)
Both the amount and rate of precipitation are
important in hydrologic studies
MEASUREMENT OF PRECIPITATION
Precipitation is measured by:
Raingauges
RADAR
Satellite
Rain Gauges
(Un)avoidable Errors
Equipment failure
Observer error Common Errors
Evaporation -1%
Avoidable Errors Adhesion -0.5%
Site Inclination - 0.5%
Obstructions Splash +1%
Height - splashing Wind -5-8%
Surrounds
Wind
Ideally, the gauge should be sited with
some shelter, but not over-sheltered
Paper Charts
Simplest method
Chart moved by spring or
electronically driven clock past pen
Pen moves with weight/float etc
Two Types
Drum - rotates
Strip - moves past pen
RECORDING OF DATA
Data Loggers
A data logger is a computer that records and
stores data from sensors both analog (voltage)
and digital(counts)
The data logger can also be used as a controller
to turn on and off electrical
The data logger requires a program to tell it what
to do
Preloaded computer chip that already has the
program in it
or create the program
Data can then be accessed by a computer to
monitor current conditions or download stored
data
Telemetry
Data stored by logger can transferred directly to
a base station via some form of
telecommunication
RAIN GAUGE NETWORK
The number of rain gauges and their distribution affect the nature
of collected precipitation data. The larger the number of rain
gauges the more representative will be the data collected
But on the other hand we have to observe other factors also, like
economy of the project, accessibility of certain areas and
topography of the area. So, one has to look for some optimum
solution
RAIN GAUGE NETWORK
In this regard the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) has made following
recommendations for minimum number of rain
gauges in a catchment:
In comparatively flat regions of temperate, Mediterranean
and Tropical Zones, the ideal is at least one station for 230
345 sq. miles. However one station for 345 1155 sq.
miles is also acceptable
In mountainous regions of Temperate, Mediterranean and
Tropical Zones, the ideal is at least one station for 35 95
sq. miles. However one station for 95 385 sq. miles is
also acceptable
In arid and polar zones, one station for 575 3860 sq.
miles is acceptable