Orographic precipitation is caused or enhanced by one or more of the effects of mountains on the atmosphere. These effects include the upward or lateral motions of air directly caused by mountains acting as a barrier, as well as the thermal effects of the mountains which cause elevated heat or cold sources. In addition, mountains influence the atmospheric circulation and precipitation processes indirectly on a range of scales from the production of lee waves downstream from isolated peaks to the development of cyclones downstream from major mountain ranges.
Stratiform precipitation
Mountains can generate both stratiform precipitation, which takes place in a statically stable atmosphere, and convective precipitation, which results from the release of static instability. The most obvious effect of mountains is that they can cause the air encountering them to rise. Rising air cools adiabatically and if it is sufficiently humid condensation and perhaps precipitation can occur. It is widely...
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Tucker, D. (2005). Orographic Precipitation. In: Oliver, J.E. (eds) Encyclopedia of World Climatology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht . https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3266-8_153
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