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Wake by editor — last modified 2006-06-15 13:55

A 'wake' often forms behind a hill or mountain when winds are strong.

Windward-Leeward by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 10:49

A zone of decreased precipitation, called a 'rain shadow', occurs to the east of major north-south mountain ranges in North America because of the loss of precipitation on the windward side of the mountains and the warming and drying that occur as the air mass descends the lee side.

Virga by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 10:52

Rain shafts that fall from high cloud bases often evaporate before reaching the ground in the dry western United States. When rainshafts evaporate before reaching the ground they are called 'virga'.

Lee Waves by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 10:55

A train of trapped lee waves sometimes forms behind a mountain barrier. Clouds can develop in the rising air near the crests of these waves.

Colorado Chinook by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 10:57

A Chinook wall is seen in this photograph on the crest of the Colorado Rockies in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Thermal-Driven Winds by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 10:59

During clear undisturbed periods, thermally driven circulations of different scale form over sidewalls, within valleys, and between mountains and the surrounding plains.

San Juan Mountains by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 11:02

A mountain thunderstorm is seen here in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

Ridge Crest by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 11:03

A flow from right to left causes a recirculating cloudy eddy to form to the left of the ridge crest on Handies Peak.

Lenticular Clouds by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 11:05

Here, a chain of lenticular clouds allows the viewer to visualize the crests of trapped lee waves east of the Colorado Rockies.

Chinook Graphic by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 11:06

When winds lift moist air up a mountain range, clouds and precipitation are produced on the windward side. As the air descends the lee side, the clouds dissipate and warming can occur with strong Chinook winds.

Thermal-Driven Winds - Large by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 11:16

During clear undisturbed periods, thermally driven circulations of different scale form over sidewalls, within valleys, and between mountains and the surrounding plains.

Chinook Graphic by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 11:36

When winds lift moist air up a mountain range, clouds and precipitation are produced on the windward side. As the air descends the lee side, the clouds dissipate and warming can occur with strong Chinook winds.

Flagged Tree by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 11:40

The shape of this 'flagged tree is' determined by strong winds at high elevations.

Convective Smoke by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 12:10

Under light winds, smoke rises directly over fires in energetic convective columns. Mountain wind conditions have important effects on wildfire behavior.

Air Pollution & Inversion by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 12:10

Air pollution can accumulate when emissions are present during temperature inversion conditions in mountain valleys. Ex: Gore River Valley near Vail, Colorado.

Surface Temperatures by Michael Olson — last modified 2006-06-23 12:11

Surface characteristics affect the distribution of temperature in complicated or mountainous terrain.

Mountain Meteorology Group by whiteman — last modified 2006-07-31 11:40

 

MtnMetGrp_2008.jpg by editor — last modified 2008-12-01 13:43