Precipitation
handout exercisesuggested grade levels: 7-12
view Idaho achievement standards for this lesson

Overview:
Many things influence the climate in an area including altitude, latitude, wind, and distance from the ocean. Many different factors influence the amount and type of precipitation in an area. The presence of clouds does not guarantee precipitation. By doing this exercise, students will learn about the conditions needed to form the different types of precipitation.

Objectives:
1. Students will become exposed to the Climatology section of the Digital Atlas of Idaho.
2. Students will learn about the conditions needed to form different types of precipitation.

Procedure:
Click on Atlas Home, Climatology then on Precipitation Patterns. Read through the material and encourage students to explore the other links there including Specific Conditions, Rain, Snow, Hail, and Usually in a Frozen State. These links contain pictures and will teach students about the conditions that cause precipitation and the different kinds of precipitation. Encourage you students to look at the map on the main page. Use this information to fill out the following worksheet. Click below for a pdf copy of a worksheet you can give your students.

Handouts/Activities:
These are links to access the handouts and printable materials.
clim7ho.pdf | clim7AK.pdf | Precipitation Patterns

Handout Sample:
The sample questions below are shown in the printed handout.

  1. What is the most common amount of precipitation in Northern Idaho?
  2. What is the most common amount of precipitation in Southern Idaho?
  3. What, would you estimate is the average precipitation for the state of Idaho?
  4. Where in Idaho does the most rain fall?

Related Lesson Topics:
Climatology: Climatology

Lesson plan by Vita Taube, 2000
Idaho Achievement Standards (as of 7/2001) met by completing this activity:
357.01.02
401.01.04.05
804.01.02
884.01.05
892.01.05