Why Do Some Places Get More Rain Than Others?

Every time I visit Florida, it's always pouring outside. The city of Fort Lauderdale gets an average of over 65 inches of rain a year as compared to less than 50 in New York City. So why exactly do some places get more rain than others?

There is a constant tug-of-war between the updraft caused by water vapor that rises from the surface of the earth and the downdraft of the condensed water droplets in the clouds. The equilibrium is broken when the size and weight of the condensed water droplets reaches a critical mass.

Unlike New York, Florida weather is dominated by warm tropical air colliding with moisture-laden air, blown inland from the ocean. Warm air is lighter than cool, moist air and therefore gets pushed up into the atmosphere. The upward movement of warm air and the downward movement of cold air removes a small amount of atmosphere at the edges, a sort of vacuum, also known as area of low pressure.

Once a low-pressure zone is formed, the atmosphere loses its ability to hold the excess moisture up in the clouds and then creates thunderstorms and rain showers. You can imagine how the water swirls down the bath tub drain once the stopper is removed and a low pressure is created.

Going to Florida? Make it a point to pack your rain jacket.