answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Mountains can affect the climate of nearby lands. Clouds approaching a mountain are forced to rise, and rising clouds can't hold so much water, so they drop their rain, so the windward side of a mountain range may be rainy and the leeward side may be a desert.

Much of airborne moisture falls as rain on the windward side of mountains. This often means that the land on the other side of the mountain (the leeward side) gets far less rain - an effect called a "rain shadow" - which often produces a desert.

The higher the mountain, the more pronounced the rain shadow effect is and the less likely rain will fall on the leeward side.

(The Windward is the side of a mountain that is facing into the direction that the wind is coming from.

The Leeward side is the wind protected side of a mountain.)

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

The climate of a mountain is more often then naught much more cooler than on sea level. Due to the elevation at the peak of a mountain, the hot air is much less present, and the air is more moist, making it much more colder.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

6y ago

Mountain change many aspects of the weather. Mostly, they change wind patterns which are integral in storm production. This happens on both a vertical plane AND a horizontal plane.

Hot humid air can be pushed vertically by the mountain and cool rapidly. This temperature change from moist air trying to fall (remember that cool air falls) while the hot lower air is still trying to rise is what can create severe storms.

  1. 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.
  2. Air moves up and down mountains in "lee waves." Farmers build terraces on mountains because the weather is moderated, providing a longer growing season.

They create a rain shadow on one side and a near drought on the other, because the warm air that rises up the mountain from the valleys/plains hits the cooler air on the mountain peaks, this mixing causes it to rain on the opposite side of the mountain that the warm air came from, so one side stays very dry and the other very wet!

A classic example is New Zealand's South Island. On the West coast it rain like a rainforest and on the other side only a fraction of the rain because the high altitude southern alps mountain range 3000m~ creates the natural climactic barrier.

Mountains create specific climatic zones.

Upwind of the mountains air is forced upward by the mountains where it is cooled and precipitation occurs (causing a wet side to the mountains).

Downwind of the mountains, the air that descends from the mountain warms up and vapour pressure increase which results the relatively humid to lower and air becomes drier. (causing a dry side to the mountains - a "rain shadow").

Also the higher you are on the mountain, the colder it gets causing a vertical separation of climatic zones possibly from a tropical base though to a cloud forest to an alpine/arctic summit.

  • Mountain ranges usually have a cold climate in its surrounding areas. They also help diminish winds coming in from the seas.

The mountains affect the airwaves going through. Also they can deflect clouds and this causes precipitation to become used up as it goes over the mountains or build up heavier precipitation.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Anonymous

Lvl 1
4y ago

it makes it colder?????????????????????????????

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Anonymous

Lvl 1
4y ago

You can find beaches, deserts, mountains, and rainforests in Spanish-speaking countries.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How does mountain barriers affect the climate?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What are some areas where mountain barriers might be a factor affecting the climate in Southwest Asia?

Two of the main areas that mountain barriers might affect the climate are in Iran and Turkey. In Southwest Asia the climate is mostly arid, but looking in certain parts of Iran where the Elburz Mountains are located the climate there seems to be Mediterranean. Also along the barrier of the Zagros Mountains the climate is Semiarid and Mediterranean. Then in Turkey where the Pontic Mountains are located the climate is then again Mediterranean.


How do mountain barriers impact climate?

Mountains slow down or trap clouds on their windward side, increasing rainfall on that side. However, this leaves less, or sometimes no, rain for the leeward side of the mountain. Also, the higher you go up a mountainside, the cooler its climate is.


How did physical features of geography affect exploration?

Mountain ranges can sometimes be barriers Rivers and lakes can also be barriers Dense forests can slow exploration


How do climate zones change on a mountain how does this affect the types of organisms found on the mountain?

The organisms are not affected.


How do Europe's mountain ranges affect the climate?

Europe's mountain ranges, such as the Alps and Pyrenees, act as barriers to air masses, causing variations in climate on either side. They can block warm or cool air, leading to differences in temperature and precipitation patterns. The mountains also influence local wind patterns and contribute to the formation of rain shadows.


How do oceans and mountains affect climate?

Oceans have a moderating effect on climate by absorbing and releasing heat slowly, leading to milder temperatures. Mountains influence climate by creating barriers that affect wind patterns and precipitation. They can also create microclimates by blocking or redirecting air masses.


How does the altitude affect the climate of a place?

The altitudde of a place affect the country's climate because wind blows moisture from the ocean up the side of the mountain.


How do the mountain ranges of Europe affect their climate?

Mountain ranges usually have a cold climate in its surrounding areas. They also help diminish winds coming in from the seas.


What influences do mountain ranges have on climate?

Mountain ranges can influence climate by blocking moisture-laden air, leading to rainfall on one side (windward side) and creating a rain shadow on the other side (leeward side) with less rainfall. They can also affect temperature by creating different microclimates at different elevations, causing temperature changes with altitude. Additionally, mountain ranges can act as barriers to air masses, influencing wind patterns and regional climate systems.


How does the climate affect the way you make a living?

because if you are in mountain, then you have a different apperence.


How does the altitude of the place affect the countries climate?

The altitudde of a place affect the country's climate because wind blows moisture from the ocean up the side of the mountain.


What are great mountain barriers?

Ah, great mountain barriers are like nature's gentle giants, standing tall and strong to protect and guide us. They create a sense of awe and wonder, reminding us of the beauty and power of the world around us. Just like how we can overcome obstacles with patience and determination, these mountains teach us that challenges can lead to growth and new perspectives.