The forced ascent of moist air as it is pushed up and over a mountain range, cooling as it rises until its moisture condenses into cloud and, often, heavy precipitation on the windward slope. It is the mechanism behind the pronounced windward-leeward precipitation contrast seen across mountain ranges worldwide, and works together with the foehn effect to dry the descending air on the lee side.
Facts
Process TypeAtmospheric Circulation 1 Connections
Sources
1. Orographic Lift (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIntroductionQuote, Introduction
Orographic lift occurs when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain. Orography is the study of the topographic relief of mountains.
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