Which of the following is not a requirement for precipitation formation?

Humidity, lift, and growth processes are essential components in the formation of precipitation.

Humidity is crucial as it provides the moisture in the atmosphere that will eventually condense into droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds. Lift refers to the upward movement of air, which can happen through various mechanisms such as convection, fronts, orography, or other processes. This lift allows air to cool, leading to the condensation of water vapor. The growth process involves the coalescence of smaller droplets or ice crystals within the clouds to form larger precipitation particles.

On the other hand, a temperature inversion is not a requirement for precipitation formation. While temperature inversions can affect weather patterns and stability in the atmosphere, they do not directly contribute to the process of precipitation. Inversions can even inhibit precipitation by creating stable layers that prevent air from rising and cooling, which is necessary for condensation and cloud formation. Therefore, the absence of a temperature inversion does not hinder the fundamental processes needed for precipitation to occur.