The
windward side of a mountain faces the wind while the leeward side faces away
from the prevailing wind. The climate
on different sides of the mountain can vary greatly.
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The windward side of
a mountain
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The leeward side of
a mountain
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The windward side of
a mountain faces the prevailing wind (the Dutch word is loef).
As air passes across
the windward side of the mountain, most of the moisture is drawn out of it.
This is because the air cools as it rises up the slope of the mountain and
condenses, leading to clouds and rain.
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The leeward side
faces away from the prevailing wind (the Dutch word is lij).
On the leeward side
of the mountain, the climate is warmer and drier; as the air moves down the
opposite side of the mountain, it loses its moisture and warms up.
Scientists call this
the rain shadow effect.
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