Processes of the hydrologic cycle

1. Precipitation
I. Cloud formation and type
II. Rainfall
III. Associated hazards
2. Interception of precipitation by vegetation cover
3. Storage in land surface depressions
4. Infiltration of water into soil
5. Evapotranspiration
6. Recharge of groundwater
7. River runoff
Hydrometeorology
is the study of the atmospheric and terrestrial phases of the hydrological cycle with emphasis
on the interrelationship between them. It deals with the transfer of water and energy between
land surface and the lower atmosphere.
Clouds
Clouds are ubiquitous in our daily lives, so much so that most people don’t pay attention to
them anymore. Clouds are essential in the hydrologic cycle of Earth because their formation
and movement initiates the transport of water.
A cloud is a visible aggregate of small water droplets and/or ice particles in the atmosphere
above earth’s surface and they form in the atmosphere as a result of condensation of water
vapor rising from the surface.
Clouds are ubiquitous in our daily lives, so much so that most people don’t pay attention to
them anymore. Clouds are essential in the hydrologic cycle of Earth because their formation
and movement initiates the transport of water.
A cloud is a visible aggregate of small water droplets and/or ice particles in the atmosphere
above earth’s surface and they form in the atmosphere as a result of condensation of water
vapor rising from the surface.
There are 10 general cloud types and they are classified depending of their height (low, mid and
high), appearance and their corresponding precipitation
Characteristics of clouds:
Low clouds: Height of less than 2 kms

Middle clouds: Height of between 2 km to 7 kms

High Clouds: Height of greater than 7 kms.

Signs of Hydro Meteorological Hazards

*Define and Describe

I. Typhoon

II. Thunderstorm

III. Floods / Flash Floods

IV. Storm Surge

*Explain the following

I. How typhoons develop over the Pacific Ocean

II. Differentiate floods from flash floods

III. Areas prone to storm surges

How is rain measured?

Rainfall is measured using a rain gauge, rain gauge is thought to be one of the oldest weather
instruments.

Rain gauges can be as simple as a cylinder that catches rain water

Terrestrial phase of the hydrologic cycle

As water returns to the surface of the Earth from precipitation, it doesn’t just stay in one place,
gravity takes it to the ground either as infiltration, or it begins running downhill as surface
runoff. Most of this moving water will end up in streams or rivers flowing towards the ocean.

Since the Philippines is composed of islands with complex topography and mountainous regions,
certain processes happen while water flows through land. A watershed is a basin-like landform
defined by highpoints and ridgelines that descend into lower elevations and stream valleys.
Water is channeled into soils, groundwater, creeks and streams making its way to larger rivers
and eventually the sea.
The following are the processes that govern terrestrial water flow
1. Interception of precipitation by vegetation cover

I. Before reaching the land surface, a part of the precipitation may be intercepted by vegetation
and/or other types of surface cover. A portion of intercepted rainfall evaporates and the other
portion may flow down on vegetation stems

2. Storage in land surface depressions

I. Detention of a part of precipitation on depressions. While most waters flows back to the ocean,
some can flow in streams towards closed lake, or purposely diverted for human use, and stored
there for a time.

3. Infiltration of water into soil

I. Flow of water through soil surface

4. Evapotranspiration

I. total evaporation from surface water and plants is referred to as evapotranspiration

5. Recharge of groundwater

I. Water storage in the soil-rock system

6. River runoff

I. Part of the precipitation that flows into river systems