1. Precipitation Rain, Snow, Sleet, hail

2. Steps that Lead to Precipitation
Air Rises (goes up)
Air Cools (colder as you go up)
Moisture Condenses (water droplets)
Precipitates (Falls to earth)

3. OROGRAPHIC (mountain)
Rainshadow
Orographic precipitation results when warm moist air of the ocean is forced to rise by large mountains. As the air rises it cools, moisture in the air condenses and clouds and precipitation result on the windward side of the mountain while the leeward side receives very little (rainshadow) . This is common in British Columbia. 

4. CONVECTION (Heat)
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 and large cities in the summer.

5. FRONTAL (air masses meet)
When two air masses meet, one must go over the other. When a cold air mass meets a warm air mass the warm air rises, cools and condenses quickly. You get heavy precipitation but of short duration over a small area.
When a warm air mass meets a cold air mass the warmer air mass rises slowly over the cold air. As it rises the warm air cools, moisture in the air condenses, clouds and precipitation result. You get a steady rain of a longer duration over a larger area.

6. Comparison Chart Similarities Orographic (mountain) Frontal
(air masses)
Convection
(Heat)
Moist Air Mass
YES
Yes / No
Yes/No
Air mass Rises
Air mass Cools
Precipitates
Reason for Rising
Mountain
Warm air meets cold
Hot Ground
Seasons
All Year
Summer
Amount of Precipitation
Heavy
Moderate
Low