OROGRAPHIC PRECIPITATION Orographic or relief rainfall is caused when masses of air pushed by wind are forced up the side of elevated land formations, such as large mountains. The lift of the air up the side of the mountain results in adiabatic cooling, at an adiabatic lapse rate of 3.5°F for every 1,000 feet of ascend and ultimately condensation and precipitation. In mountainous parts of the world subjected to relatively consistent winds (for example, the trade winds), a more moist climate usually prevails on the windward side of a mountain than on the leeward (downwind) side. Moisture is removed by orographic lift, leaving drier air (see Foehn) on the descending (generally warming), leeward side where a rain shadow is observed where temperatures warm up at the same rate of 3.5°F for every 1,000 feet of descend. With that in mind, what would the temperatures be at the following parts of the mountain both on the windward and leeward sides of the mountain? ELEVATION TEMPERATURES °F 0 FEET

15 OROGRAPHIC PRECIPITATION Orographic or relief rainfall is caused when masses of air pushed by wind are forced up the side of elevated land formations, such as large mountains. The lift of the air up the side of the mountain results in adiabatic cooling, at an adiabatic lapse rate of 3.5°F for every 1,000 feet of ascend and ultimately condensation and precipitation. In mountainous parts of the world subjected to relatively consistent winds (for example, the trade winds), a more moist climate usually prevails on the windward side of a mountain than on the leeward (downwind) side. Moisture is removed by orographic lift, leaving drier air (see Foehn) on the descending (generally warming), leeward side where a rain shadow is observed where temperatures warm up at the same rate of 3.5°F for every 1,000 feet of descend. With that in mind, what would the temperatures be at the following parts of the mountain both on the windward and leeward sides of the mountain? ELEVATION TEMPERATURES °F 0 FEET 15,000 FEET 18,000 FEET 20,000 FEET 15,000 FEET 4,000 FEET 20,000 FT. 15,000 FT. 4,000 FT. 0 FT. 70°F 15,000 FT. 18,000 FT.