Final answer:
Generally speaking, tropical regions receive more precipitation due to the ability of warm air to hold more moisture, oceanic influences, and specific wind patterns. The proximity to mountain ranges and global wind circulation cells are also crucial factors influencing the amount of rainfall an area gets. Climate change is expected to affect these patterns further, causing increases in precipitation in some regions and decreases in others.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of precipitation an area receives can vary greatly due to several factors such as temperature, proximity to oceans and mountains, atmospheric water vapor content, wind patterns, and global wind circulation cells. Typically, tropical regions receive more precipitation due to warm air holding more moisture, as well as due to prevalent wind patterns and oceanic influences. For instance, as indicated by the model in the assigned reading, areas close to the equator where warm, moist air rises tend to have high precipitation levels. In contrast, regions situated at around 30 degrees north and south latitudes tend to have drier conditions due to descending warm air that can hold more water vapor.
Mountain ranges can also create a significant difference in precipitation patterns. On one side of a mountain range, such as the western coasts of New Zealand, the air loaded with moisture from the ocean produces high precipitation. Conversely, on the opposite side in the rain shadow, the conditions tend to be drier. Additionally, climate change is predicted to influence precipitation patterns further, with some areas experiencing increases in precipitation and others decreases. Overall, these various factors will have implications for fresh water resources, biodiversity, and the intensity and frequency of storm events.
In general, comparing one's local area to tropical regions without specific information about local geographic factors is complex. However, tropical regions are known for high levels of precipitation, while other areas may receive more or less based on their unique geographical and climatic characteristics.