2006-11-08 09:08:39 · 11 answers · asked by HeyThere 1 in Environment
clouds hit the mountans, sometimes, and can't go over them . . plus the air cools from the cooler temp of the mountain . . .
2006-11-08 09:11:03 · answer #1 · answered by a_blue_grey_mist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As moist air rises over, it cools and the amount of moisture that the air can hold is reduced. This is called "Orographic Lifting" An interesting consequence of this is that the cooling of the air is not as great as it would be without rain, as the change-in-state gas water to liquid water releases heat. Thus, when the air descends the far side of the mountain not only is it drier but it is warmer than the original air mass before it went over the mountain. The area behind the mountains is called the "Rain Shadow", and is frequently a desert. A great page explaining this effect can be found at the first link below. The second reference is great if you want to know about specific places where this effect occurs. That page also has a link to a "Rain Shadow" page
2006-11-08 17:30:40 · answer #2 · answered by gordon B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It rains almost everywhere on earth. And for the same reason it rains over mountains. The air holds too much moisture and it precipitates out.
There is probably no rain on the North or South poles, but there is snow.
In the Atacama desert in South America, it may not rain for years and years, but it eventually does, even if in small amounts.
2006-11-08 17:12:18 · answer #3 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the mountains push the warm air higher, where it cools and the the evaporated water turns back to water and falls as rain.
2006-11-08 17:10:45 · answer #4 · answered by Ahwell 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because warm air can hold more water then cold air. When the air currents hit a mountain, the air is pushed upwards, where it is colder - at these temperatures it can no longer hold so much water vapor, so the water is released as rain.
2006-11-08 19:32:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um, it rains everywhere. Water accumulates in the clouds and when the cloud is to full, it rains.
2006-11-08 17:16:26 · answer #6 · answered by billiejoe4me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same reason it rains in the valleys
2006-11-08 17:10:44 · answer #7 · answered by ed d 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
y does it rain n e where else...if it rains in the mountain more its prolly cuz its closer to the clouds.....lol
2006-11-08 17:10:57 · answer #8 · answered by Heidi 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The same reason it rains every where else
2006-11-08 17:09:57 · answer #9 · answered by lookingforjordyn 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is fog coming off the mountains
2006-11-08 17:10:11 · answer #10 · answered by valgal115 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋