Final answer:
The height and thickness of clouds influence precipitation probabilities, with thicker and higher clouds generally being more likely to precipitate. Supercooling can inhibit rain, and climate change is causing shifts in precipitation patterns with more intense events expected.
Step-by-step explanation:
The height and thickness of clouds play a significant role in the probability of precipitation. The thicker and higher a cloud is, generally, the higher the chance of precipitation. As warm air holds more moisture, clouds in tropical areas with warm temperatures have a higher capacity to carry water vapor, increasing precipitation. This is particularly true for clouds that are thick enough that water droplets within them can aggregate around particles like dust or ice to reach a size that can fall as rain or snow.
Another factor to consider is supercooling, which can prevent precipitation. Supercooled water droplets within clouds need a nucleus to aggregate and form ice crystals large enough to fall, but if they remain supercooled, they might not precipitate. Moreover, evaporation is greater in hot and sunny areas, contributing to the moisture content in the atmosphere, thus affecting precipitation. The presence of mountains can also influence precipitation—air that rises over a mountain range cools and can release precipitation on the windward side, leading to a dry leeward side, known as a 'rain shadow.'
Finally, storm and climate change factors impact precipitation patterns. Climate change is causing shifts in wind patterns and increasing atmospheric water vapor content, leading to more intense precipitation events, especially in tropical and high-latitude regions. The expected changes include variable precipitation by season and region, with some areas experiencing increased annual average precipitation and higher intensity storm events.