 Condensation occurs when moist air rises and cools, forming clouds.  Air rises for several reasons: it may be blown over higher ground, it may be warmed from below, or it may encounter a colder and denser air mass.

 Orographic or relief rainfall is caused when masses of air pushed by wind are forced up the side of elevated land formations, such as large mountains.  As the air moves up the side of the mountain it cools and results in condensation and precipitation on the windward side on the mountain.

 Convectional precipitation results from the heating of the earth's surface that causes air to rise rapidly.  As the air rises, it cools and moisture condenses into clouds and precipitation. This type of precipitation is common in the prairie provinces.

 Frontal precipitation results when the leading edge( front) of a warm air mass meets a cool air mass.  The warmer air mass is forced up over the cool air. As it rises the warm air cools, moisture in the air condenses, clouds and precipitation result. This precipitation is common in Atlantic Canada.

 Look at page 35 in your text book to see where snowfall is the highest in Atlantic Canada.  What factors do you think may contribute to these levels of condensation.

 Generally across the province, as the winter snowfall increases from place to place, the total precipitation for the year decreases.  Cold winter temperatures and stormy northeasterlies combine to make New Brunswick the snowiest of the three Mar time provinces.  Northwestern New Brunswick generally receives between 300 and 400 cm of snow annually, for about 33% of its annual total precipitation (rain and snow combined).  On the other hand, the eastern and southern sections of the province receive 200 to 300 cm of snow, less than 20% of their annual total precipitation. Winter storms frequently bring rain to the Fundy coast and snow to the interior.

 Falling snow and rain doesn’t often pose a problem for most people. However, when you add wind as a factor you may have complications that can result in a blizzard or a flood that can be quite hazardous.  Can you think of any situations where excess snow or rain may have become a problem for some people in New Brunswick?

 Wind is air that is moving from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.  Remember that hot air rises (hot air balloon) and cold air sinks.  A warm surface will heat the air above it, making the air rise.  This creates an area of low pressure beneath the rising air.  An area of high pressure forms when cool air sinks towards the surface, pushing the air underneath away.

 Air over the North and South Poles sinks because it is cold, producing an area of high pressure.  Air over the equator rises because it is hot, producing an area of low pressure.  Without the rotation of the Earth this air would move ceaselessly between the Equator and the Poles.

 Due to the rotation of the Earth the winds in the northern hemisphere blow counter clockwise into a low pressure area and clockwise out of a high pressure area.  High winds can develop where these two areas of high and low pressure meet.  What opportunities may arise from this occurrence?  How can New Brunswickers take advantage of this renewable power source?

 Review pages 34 – 36 and complete questions 1, 2 and 3