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Precipitation

STEVE STATUSHEK—GETTY IMAGES

Clouds are made up of tiny water droplets. When the water gets heavy, it falls to the ground. This is called precipitation. There are different forms of precipitation. Some are liquid. Some are solid.

Rain

DANIEL TADEVOSYAN—GETTY IMAGES

Rain falls from the clouds. It is a liquid. It waters plants. It forms puddles on the ground. Splash!

Sleet

HELIVIDEO/GETTY IMAGES

Sleet is icy rain. It happens when the air is cold. The rain freezes as it falls.

Snow

IMGORTHAND—GETTY IMAGES

Snow happens when water freezes in the clouds. Then it falls to the ground as ice crystals.

Hail

FABRICE COFFRINI—AFP/GETTY IMAGES

See these balls of ice? They are called hailstones. Wind causes water in clouds to freeze. Hail usually falls in spring and summer.