Rainfall

1. Weather and climate
Level descriptor Question
‘Tropical countries usually receive convectional rainfall.’ Do you agree? Explain your answers
with specific examples.
Level 1
State a stand
Describe what are
tropical countries define
convectional rainfall
I agree that tropical countries such as Singapore and
Malaysia usually receive convectional rainfall. Tropical countries
are located near the equator and they have high mean annual
temperature of around 270C to 350C.Convectional rainfall occurs
when the earth’s surface is heated intensely.
Level 2
Explain why tropical
countries receive
convectional rainfall
Describe about other
types of rainfall
Eg: Relief rainfall
Eg: Monsoon rain
Hence this is common in the tropical countries which
receive a great amount of sunlight. As the sun’s energy heats up
the earth’s surface, the warm air expands and rises. As the air
rises, it cools to dew point where condensation occurs and
clouds are formed. When the water droplets in the clouds
become large and heavy, they fall to the ground as rain.
However, other rainfall such as relief rainfall and monsoon rain
can also occur in the tropical countries.
Level 3
Explain how tropical
countries can receive
other types of rainfall
Examples of countries
are clearly stated in the
explanations
For example, in Malaysia, relief rainfall may occur on the
mountainous regions such as Cameron Highlands.
Relief rainfall occurs when warm moist air is forced to rise over a
mountain range. The air rises up the windward side of the
mountain and is forced to cool. Condensation occurs and cloud
forms. When the water droplets become large and heavy, they
fall as rain on the windward side of the mountains. Tropical
countries such as Singapore also receive monsoon rain during
October to February.
It is true that tropical countries usually receive convectional
rainfall but they also receive other rainfall such as relief and
monsoon rain.