Why Is Leeward Important?
The Leeward—or "Lee"—Side Is the One Sheltered from the Wind by the Reference Point. Windward and Leeward Aren't Frivolous Terms. When Applied to Mountains...
The leeward—or "lee"—side is the one sheltered from the wind by the reference point. Windward and leeward aren't frivolous terms. When applied to mountains, they are important factors in weather and climate—one is responsible for enhancing precipitation in the vicinity of mountain ranges, while the other withholds it.
What is the significance of leeward?
Meteorological significance
The leeward side is the side protected by the elevation of the island from the prevailing wind, and is typically the drier side of an island. Thus, leeward or windward siting is an important weather and climate factor on oceanic islands.
Why is the leeward side of a mountain range often warmer than the windward side?
Mountains also cause air to rise. As the wind blows across a mountain range, air rises and cools and clouds can form on the windward side. ... When the air sinks on the leeward side of the mountain range, it is usually much drier and warmer than it was to begin with.
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