Climate divide
Climatic divide is the name for a part of the landscape that influences the climate of the surroundings and separates rooms with different climates. Higher mountains that extend in the direction of the parallels or parallel to coastlines are particularly effective . The horizontal air exchange is prevented by the mountain ridge and the wind direction is changed. The effect of solar radiation also depends on the slope .
Therefore, the mountain sides have different conditions in terms of temperature and air pressure , humidity and precipitation . When there is wind, the air on the windward side is forced to rise and cloud formation and heavy incline rain can occur. The subsequent warming of the air descending on the leeward side often causes a blow- dryer effect and a drier climate on the other side of the mountains. This effect is particularly striking on the west coast of South America, where the world's driest desert, the Atacama , has emerged behind the coastal cordillera .
Smaller climatic differences can also be caused by extensive water areas or large forest areas .
One example in Europe is the climate divide between the Atlantic and continental climates .
See also
Web links
- German weather service : climate divide. In: Weather Lexicon.