precipitable water The quantity of rainfall that would result from condensation and precipitation of the total moisture in a column of air in the atmosphere. Most atmospheric moisture is contained in the lower atmosphere, below about 5500 m. On average, an atmospheric column of 1 m² cross-section contains vapour equivalent to 5–25 mm depth of rainfall. The average residence time of moisture in the atmosphere is about nine days.

precipitable water The quantity of rainfall that would result from condensation and precipitation of the total moisture in a column of air in the atmosphere. Most atmospheric moisture is contained in the lower atmosphere, below about 5500 m. On average, an atmospheric column of 1 m² cross-section contains vapour equivalent to 5–25 mm depth of rainfall. The average residence time of moisture in the atmosphere is about nine days.

precipitable water The quantity of rainfall that would result from condensation and precipitation of the total moisture in a column of air in the atmosphere. Most atmospheric moisture is contained in the lower atmosphere, below about 5500 m. On average, an atmospheric column of 1 m² cross-section contains vapour equivalent to 5–25 mm depth of rainfall. The average residence time of moisture in the atmosphere is about 9 days.