My Science School

Weather up high

The main differences in climate of mountains are temperature and moisture. The temperature on mountains becomes colder the higher the altitude gets. Mountains tend to have much wetter climates than the surrounding flat land. Mountain weather conditions can change dramatically from one hour to the next. Mountains can be found in hot and cold countries. But if you go for a walk in the mountains, be prepared for any type of weather. Mountains can be sunny one moment, and cold and windy the next.

There can be snow on mountain peaks in hot weather.

The highest part of a mountain is also the coldest. High up, the air is very thin and cannot hold much heat. Mountains are so tall that they make their own weather. They act as a barrier, forcing air to rise up and over them. The air cools when it passes over     the mountain and this creates more rain and snow.

Mountains can be wet on one side, but dry and sunny on the other!

The side of a mountain facing the wind is the wettest. This is because the wind carries warm, damp air that falls as rain when it reaches the cold mountain. By the time the air has passed over the mountain peak, it is drier and there is no rain left to fall on the other side! The dry side is said to be in a ‘rain shadow’.

The mountains are getting warmer.

The chemicals and fuels that we use each day release harmful gases. This pollution traps hot air around the Earth causing temperatures to rise. As the glaciers melt, plants and animals move up the mountain, taking over from wildlife that used to live in colder part. The land below may also flood.

Picture Credit : Google