We've all experienced those beautiful days graced by a gentle rain, as well as the days when we just can't stand another drop of it. The process of rain formation is quite simple: Water is constantly evaporating from the Earth's surface due to heat. This moist air rises cools down, and forms groups of droplets that become the clouds we see. When these clouds become heavy enough, they start to rain. But why does rainfall vary so much across seasons and regions?
Given the process of evaporation, it is surprising that in some areas like the Mediterranean, rain is less frequent in the warm summer months. This is due to the winds, which often blow from the land, carrying less moisture than ocean winds.
In contrast, we see a different phenomenon during India's summer monsoon season. The hottest months are often the rainiest. This happens because winds from the ocean blow toward the land, bringing lots of moist air with them. As these winds rise over the land, they cool down, the moisture condenses, and heavy rain falls.
Despite these stark differences across various locations on Earth and different seasons, rainfall at the global level is remarkably consistent throughout the year. It turns out that rain is just another one of those processes that help to keep our little planet in balance.
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