How do mountains affect rainfall?

The presence of mountains in the path of a wind will force the air to move upwards and hence cool. Cooling causes water vapour in the air to condense and form water droplets, which can grow and cause rainfall. read more

Mountains affect climate by blocking wind and receiving more rainfall than low-lying areas. As air is forced over higher ground, it cools, causing moisture to condense and fall as rain. The higher a location is above sea level, the colder it is. read more

Mountains have two major effects called the orographic effect, which causes clouds and precipitation to form on one side of the mountain, and the rain shadow effect, which is a drier area on the opposite side of the mountain. read more

Mountains can 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. read more