Lifting Due To Topography: produces orographic clouds

When air is confronted by a mountain, it is lifted up and over the mountain, cooling as it rises. If the air cools to its saturation point, the water vapor condenses and a cloud forms.

These types of clouds are called "orographic clouds", which develop in response to lifting forced by the topography the earth.

[Image: lee mountain wave clouds (78K)]
Photograph by: Holle

The exact type of cloud that develops depends upon the moisture content and stability of the air.

convergence

Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available.
Credits and Acknowledgments for WW2010.
Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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