19.1. Convectional Rainfall

As it rises, it expands and loses heat and consequently, condensation takes place and cumulous clouds are formed. With thunder and lightening, heavy rainfall takes place but this does not last long. Such rain is common in the summer or in the hotter part of the day. It is very common in the equatorial regions and interior parts of the continents, particularly in the northern hemisphere.

In the equatorial regions convectional rainfall is received almost daily in the afternoons. In these regions ground starts heating up early morning and by afternoon convectional currents start rising. The whole sky soon is overcast with clouds. Late in the afternoon thunderstorms and lightning occur. It generally happens regularly at 4 P.M. throughout the year. For this reason it is also called 4’O clock rainfall.