Cool air can hold less water vapor than warm air. apply this fact to explain why clouds and precipitation form on the windward side of the mountain.

Question: Cool air can hold less water vapor than warm air. apply this fact to explain why clouds and precipitation form on the windward side of the mountain.

The phenomenon of cloud and precipitation formation on the windward side of mountains is a classic example of orographic lift. As air approaches a mountain, it is forced upward by the terrain. As the air rises, it cools down, and since cooler air can hold less water vapor than warm air, the moisture in the air begins to condense into clouds. This process often leads to precipitation as the clouds become heavy enough. The windward side of the mountain, facing the oncoming air, receives this precipitation. In contrast, the leeward side, which is sheltered from the wind, experiences drier conditions because the air, having lost its moisture on the windward side, descends and warms up, inhibiting cloud formation. This results in a rain shadow effect, where one side of the mountain is wet and the other is dry.

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