Knowra Mountain climate Mountain climate Mountain climate is the pattern of temperature, precipitation, wind, and related conditions shaped by elevation and terrain. It often changes sharply over short distances and varies between slopes and valleys.
Environmental lapse rate : The rate at which air temperature changes with altitude in the atmosphere. It explains why mountain temperatures generally decline with increasing elevation.
Altitude : The vertical distance of a place above a reference level, usually sea level. Elevation is the basic coordinate for describing climate changes up a mountain.
Snowpack : The accumulation of snow on the ground over a season or longer. Mountain snow stores precipitation and releases it later as meltwater.
Continental climate : A climate with strong seasonal temperature contrasts, typically far from oceanic moderation. Mountain climates can be strongly continental, but elevation adds sharp vertical gradients.
Orographic lift : The upward movement of air forced by terrain, often causing it to cool and produce precipitation. Rising air makes windward mountain slopes wetter than nearby lowlands.
Microclimate : The climate of a small area that differs from the surrounding region. Mountain terrain creates many sharply distinct local climates within one region.
Glacier : A persistent body of land ice formed from compacted snow and moving under its own weight. Cold, snowy mountain climates can sustain glaciers and their downstream effects.
Oceanic climate : A climate moderated by nearby oceans, usually with relatively mild temperatures and ample moisture. Ocean influence can soften the temperature extremes of adjacent mountain regions.
Rain shadow : A relatively dry region on the leeward side of a mountain range. Moisture lost on windward slopes leaves descending air drier beyond the crest.
Precipitation : Water that falls from the atmosphere to Earth's surface as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Its amount and form change with elevation, airflow, and slope exposure.
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