Precipitation processes and water storage

This chapter is the first of four on hydrological aspects of the physical environment. An introduction is provided to the concept of the hydrological system, including the transfer of water between the main storage components of the oceans, atmosphere, and land-based features such as lakes, snow, and ice. A systematic discussion is then provided, starting with the origins and nature of precipitation, and then moving to the main land-based storage components of snow, ice, and water