Causes
Factories and automobiles release toxic substances, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons, into the air. These substances don't just fall back to the Earth, but travel into the skies where clouds absorb them and the chemicals mix with rain drops. When it rains, the pollutant-laced precipitation falls back to the Earth, where it is absorbed into the ground and by plants and is also ingested by animals.
Affect on Weather
Acid rain and the pollutants that cause it don't have any direct impact on weather systems or patterns. Instead, it causes the rain, which is already acidic in nature, to become more acidic. The more pollutants in the air, the more acidic and damaging the rain becomes.
Impact on the Environment
While acid rain may not directly affect weather patterns, it does have a major impact on the environment. The acidic rain falls into lakes and rivers and changes their acid content. If the acidity shifts too far, then it can kill the fish and other animals. Acid rain also causes health problems in humans, such as increased breathing problems in people with asthma. Trees and other plants don't receive the proper nutrients, which causes reproduction problems and ultimately death. Winds can cause the rain clouds to travel many miles away from the source and drop the acidic rain in areas that had nothing to do with its creation.
Other Types of Acid Weather
Acid rain is a term given to any pollutant-laced precipitation and is not limited to rain. Acidic precipitation creates acid snow and fog. Acid fogs hang in the air, and animals and humans constantly breathe in the pollutants. In areas with dry climates and little rain, the pollutants create acid dust.