This book is the outcome of contributions from scientists who were invited to expose their latest findings on precipitation research and in particular, on the measurement, estimation and prediction of precipitation. In this respect, the book comprises a state-of-the-art coverage of the most modern views and approaches in the study of precipitation. In addition, the 20 Chapters that this book consists of provide an insight into the evolutionary aspects of their respective disciplines; also, many of the authors attempt to project into the future by providing an outlook of the planned and expected developments in their respective areas of research. The Chapters presented in this book are mostly written by selected scientists who presented their advances in precipitation research during activities at the 2006 and 2007 General Assemblies of the European Geophysical Union (EGU) that I convened, at the kind invitation of its Atmospheric Sciences Division. However, in order to give a more complete picture of the subject, other invited experts were asked to supplement with additional Chapters. The readers of this volume are presented with a blend of theoretical, mathematical and technical treatise of precipitation science. Large parts of many Chapters are devoted to authentic applications of technological and theoretical advances: from local field experiments to country-scale campaigns and, beyond these, to multinational space endeavors. Also, the book reveals the high level of scientific ingenuity, the systematic exploitation of modern technological knowledge and the extent of scientific collaboration and networking that were employed by the scientific community in tackling a very complex issue. Bearing in mind the above, the book is addressed to those who are involved in precipitation research, but also to those researchers from the wider area of atmospheric sciences whose interests touch on this extremely important weather phenomenon. Moreover, the book aims at introducing newcomers in the field of precipitation science to the various up-to-date scientific facets of the subject, by exposing the full dimensions of the measurement, estimation and prediction of precipitation. I trust that this volume will become a valuable source of inspiration for the sientific endeavors of all scientists working on the multifaceted physical phenomenon of precipitation.
