What Causes the Elements of Weather Such as Rain, Hail, and Snow?

Rain is when condensed water is raised into the atmosphere by conditions of sun and wind. This risen moisture is then converted by still greater natural processes into clouds. These clouds return to the earth as rain, snow and hail. Sometimes they simply form a light mist. The weight of the water present in the clouds; along with the force of the wind currents in conflict with the clouds passing into colder portions of atmosphere (or the conflict of the clouds created by electricity) determine the form in which water returns to earth . If there are many vapors; and the vapors by form of nature rise slightly higher than the ground; they will form a mist or vapor that is visible and able to be felt. When these copious vapors rise even higher; they produce rain.

In this way, things like a cold, wet winter exists as well as a warm dry summer. It seems not to make sense; but when you take into account the natural behavior of water; it makes sense. The cold air causes the water to stay present in the atmosphere and closer to the ground making the air wet and damp. The heat of summer can evaporate the water and make the moisture scarce.

There are certain seasons that experience more rain than others. The spring and fall are usually the rainiest seasons. The vapors rise and are plump with water. The sun is not as dominant as it can be in the summer. The cold increases causing the lingering vapors present because of summer heat to change form and fall more easily.

How Do We Define Snow?

Rain is frozen or changed to a more solid form by excess cold in the air. This causes the rain simply to fall down to the ground as white flakes. Because of the cold in the air; the snow gathers on the ground instead of melting many times. However, this does depend on the temperature of the air whether the snow will pile up on the ground or melt. Some parts of the world get snow piling up 6 ft in the air.

Because of these conditions; one would think that snow was incredibly terrible for the earth. However, in reality; snow actually helps many plants by protecting their roots from the intense freezing air and piercing wind. However, for the part of the plant on top of the earth like the flower or the plant; the snow can be murderous.

If this if the definition of snow; then how do we define hail? What is the difference?

Hail is rain completely frozen during their falling in the air. This yields the rain hard and somewhat dangerous to moving vehicles and sometimes even pedestrians. Hail comes in many shapes and sizes because of the unpredictable way that it freezes in mid-air.

The atmosphere's fluctuation causes so many things to change in the weather; but is the atmosphere exactly?

The atmosphere is a mass of airborne liquid that is around the earth all over. It is considered to reach about 50 miles above the earth's surface. Atmosphere creates a substance in air combined with water. Air binds the water.

Atmosphere also has an elastic quality. It can maintain many different types of qualities in many different sections of the world. When atmospheric changes occur; then it springs back after a fair time.

When whatever action that compresses the air in the atmosphere is removed; the atmosphere will expand and come back to its previous state. What are the many different tasks of air?

Without air; life on earth would not exist. It is equally as important as water. Air in the atmosphere is a mass or material itself. In addition, without the movement of air there would be now sound, or smell. Air also has carbonic acid present in its mass. This gives water a smooth and pleasing taste. In fact boiled water takes away some of this quality that makes water completely tasteless.

If air and water make up the atmosphere, how is air defined?

Wind is air that is in motion with any varying amount of velocity. Wind can be heavy or light.

Twilight is yet another thing.

Twilight is a romantic idea that is used as a backdrop for many love stories and romance novels. However, it is a happenstance in weather that is very well documented. Twilight is considered the light when the sun first rises to the complete rising of the sun. It is also considered the light when the sun begins to set and the last remains of daylight when darkness falls.

Twilight actually serves a purpose other then beauty. Without the soothing element of twilight; the earth would become suddenly dark at night fall and suddenly bright at sunrise. The change in brightness would be instantaneous.

The duration of the twilight period varies in different regions because of their climates. And even in the same regions can vary at different times of the year.

Twilight is created by the sun's refraction-which is, the changing of the rays of light from their direct course, caused by the differences in density in the atmosphere. Morning's twilight is also known by a more poetic name. This name is aurora. This is named because of the Greek goddess Aurora. She was known as the goddess of morning and the harbinger of the sun's rise. She was often represented by artists as being drawn by white horses and a pink chariot. This brings to mind morning's twilight very visually. Her fingers were rosy. They were depicted as sprinkling dew upon the earth and bringing to life plants and flowers.

There is an amazingly beautiful phenomenon that can be experienced by the dwellers of the North Pole region. This is called the Aurora Borealis. This is also called the Northern Lights. It is so beautiful. It is best described as a luminous and angelic appearance in the northern parts of the sky. It can be seen during winter and during cool frigid weather. During a clear bright evening; it can take on many shapes, colors and even images. This is especially true in the North Pole area. This is where it appears perfectly. It is amazingly peaceful and beautiful to residents of this land in the middle of bitter, gloomy winters. These winters can last for a full six months.

Where does the Aurora Borealis come from? The Aurora Borealis is actually brought about by electricity. This electrical occurrence happens in higher areas of the atmosphere. Electricity is a natural occurrence that is present in all volatile earthly bodies.

The North and South Poles are the magnetic hubs of the earth. This magnetic activity creates highly electrical activity. This activity shows itself as a glowing and bright electrical arch that stretches in diameter from east to west. It never stretches from north to south. Magnetic refers to activity of a loadstone.

This phenomenon is amazingly beautiful. Borealis comes from the Greek language. It means to show or appear. In the country of Siberia, the Aurora Borealis is seen constantly from the October to July. When the sun sets on the West coast of the Hudson Bay the Aurora Borealis shows itself as a multitude of lights and shades. A full moon is said never to be as beautiful as this.

Bibliography:

Potter, Thomas D. and Colman, Bradley R. "The Handbook of Weather, Climate and Water: Dynamics, Climate, Physical Meteorology, Weather Systems, and Measurements," Wiley-Interscience (August 8, 2003)

Lattrick, Nancy "Rain, Hail, Sleet and Snow," Published by Muller for Junior Science Books.

Robertson, William C. "Air, Water, & Weather: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It (Robertson, William C. Stop Faking It!,) (Robertson, William C. Stop Faking It!,)" National Science Teachers Association; (April 30, 2005)