Examples of Precipitation: Rain, Snow, Sleet, and Hail Explained for Kids

📚 Precipitation Explained for Kids

Precipitation is any form of water that falls from the sky. The type of precipitation depends on the temperature of the air!

Quick Study Guide

• 💧 Rain: Liquid water droplets falling from clouds. Usually happens when the air is above freezing (0°C or 32°F).
• ❄️ Snow: Ice crystals that fall from clouds. Occurs when the air is at or below freezing.
• 🧊 Sleet: Rain that freezes as it falls through a layer of cold air. Small ice pellets.
• 🌨️ Hail: Lumps of ice that form inside thunderstorm clouds. Can be small or very large!
• 🌡️ Temperature: The key factor determining the type of precipitation.

Practice Quiz

1. What is precipitation?
   1. A type of cloud.
   2. Water falling from the sky.
   3. The temperature outside.
   4. A type of tree.
2. Which type of precipitation is made of liquid water?
   1. Snow
   2. Hail
   3. Rain
   4. Sleet
3. What temperature is needed for snow to fall?
   1. Above freezing
   2. At freezing or below
   3. Always 100°F
   4. Doesn't matter
4. What is sleet?
   1. Big chunks of ice.
   2. Rain that freezes as it falls.
   3. Just regular rain.
   4. A type of cloud.
5. Where does hail form?
   1. In warm puddles.
   2. Inside thunderstorm clouds.
   3. On the ground.
   4. In space.
6. Which of these is NOT a type of precipitation?
   1. Rain
   2. Snow
   3. Sunshine
   4. Hail
7. What is the MOST important factor that determines the type of precipitation?
   1. Wind speed
   2. Cloud color
   3. Temperature
   4. Day of the week