Which statement about boreal forest precipitation is characteristic?

• A. Snow is the predominant form of precipitation.
• B. Rain is the predominant precipitation.
• C. Precipitation is rare.
• D. Hailstorms are most common.

Answer: (A)

Snow dominates precipitation in boreal forests because the climate is cold for most of the year, with winter temperatures well below freezing. Moisture that falls during winter stays as snow on the ground, making snow the primary form of precipitation over the year. Rain occurs mainly in the brief summer, but it doesn’t surpass the total that falls as snow. Precipitation isn’t rare in these regions; there’s regular moisture input, just largely in the form of snow, and hailstorms aren’t the characteristic feature of these forests.