How do mountains affect climate?

Mountains act like big shields that change how weather moves and feels.

Imagine you're wearing a coat on a cold day, that's like a mountain blocking the wind. On one side of the mountain, the air is cooler and gets more rain because it's pushing up against the mountain. This is called the windward side. It’s like when you blow on your hand, it feels cooler.

On the other side, the air is warmer and drier, like when you step out of a shower into a warm room. This side is called the leeward side. The wind has traveled over the mountain and lost some of its moisture.

1. When wind hits a mountain, it pushes up, this makes clouds form and rain fall on the side facing the wind.
2. After going over the mountain, the air warms up and dries out, making the other side feel more like a sunny day in a desert.

Mountains also create different climates for nearby places, one valley might have snow all year, while another has warm summers and cool winters. It's like having two completely different rooms in one house!