(Also called highland climate.) Generally, the climate of high elevations . Precipitation is heavier on the windward side of a mountain barrier than on the leeward (orographic precipitation), and on the windward side it increases upward to the zone of maximum precipitation, then decreases again. ...
Why does climate vary in different areas?
The climate of a region depends on many factors including the amount of sunlight it receives , its height above sea level, the shape of the land, and how close it is to oceans. Since the equator receives more sunlight than the poles, climate varies depending on its distance from the equator.
Why can the climate differ on different sides of a mountain range?
As winds rise up the windward side of a mountain range, the air cools and precipitation falls . On the other side of the range, the leeward side, the air is dry, and it sinks. So there is very little precipitation on the leeward side of a mountain range.
Why do mountains affect weather and climate?
Mountains as rain makers and rain takers
The mountains create a barrier to air moving eastward off the Pacific Ocean . When the moist, oceanic air encounters the mountains it begins to rise. The rising air cools as it moves up and over the mountains, and much of its moisture condenses, forming clouds and precipitation.
Which side of the mountain receives the most precipitation?
The leeward side receives more precipitation than the windward side.
Which side of the mountain gets less rainfall?
THE LEEWARD SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN GETS LESS RAIN BECAUSE IT IS SITUATED TO THE NORTH OF MOUNTAIN AND WHEN THE WATER VAPOUR MOVES TOWARDS THESE MOUNTAIN THESE MOUNTAINS OBSTRUCT THE VAPOUR AND IT STARTS MOVING UPWARD ALONG THE SLOPE OF THE MOUNTAIN AMD THEREFORE THE LEEWARD SIDE RECEIVES LESS RAINFALL.
What are the 4 factors that affect climate?
Although many factors combine to influence weather, the four main ones are solar radiation, the amount of which changes with Earth’s tilt, orbital distance from the sun and latitude, temperature, air pressure and the abundance of water .
What are the factors on which climate depends?
The climate of any particular place is influenced by a host of interacting factors. These include latitude, elevation, nearby water, ocean currents, topography, vegetation, and prevailing winds .
How important are accurate climate predictions?
Climate predictions help anticipate major weather events that impact the production levels of world crops . ... Climate predictions of smaller weather events that, due to their timing, have a significant impact on crop yields are also important.
How does the presence of mountains affect an area’s climate?
Mountains can affect the climate of nearby lands. In some areas, mountains block rain , so that one side of a mountain range may be rainy and the other side may be a desert. Much of airborne moisture falls as rain on the windward side of mountains.
What are the two ways that a mountain range can affect climate?
Mountains can also affect precipitation. Mountains and mountain ranges can cast a rain shadow . As winds rise up the windward side of a mountain range, the air cools and precipitation falls. On the other side of the range, the leeward side, the air is dry, and it sinks.
Why do mountains have their own climate?
Mass, who is a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington, says the physical structure of mountains can create their own weather systems, caused by the way air flows around them . ... This causes the air to flow up the slopes on both the eastern and western sides of the Cascades or Olympics.
Which side of the mountain is more often cloudy and which side is more often clear?
While air on the windward side of a mountain is forced to rise, often resulting in clouds and precipitation, the air on the leeward side of a mountain is forced to sink. Thus on the leeward side of a mountain, we often see clear skies and warm, dry conditions.
What is the lee side of a mountain?
The leeward—or “lee”—side is the one sheltered from the wind by the reference point . Windward and leeward aren’t frivolous terms. When applied to mountains, they are important factors in weather and climate—one is responsible for enhancing precipitation in the vicinity of mountain ranges, while the other withholds it.
What is the difference between the windward and leeward side of a mountain?
An island’s windward side faces the prevailing, or trade, winds, whereas the island’s leeward side faces away from the wind, sheltered from prevailing winds by hills and mountains.
Which side of the mountain gets more rainfall why?
The windward side of the mountains gets more rain as clouds loose moisture in shape of rain due to obstruction and increase in altitude; amount of vapour in the air reduces after crossing the mountain and the moisture holding capacity of the air increases.
