A retired hiker has walked up Mount Washington every weekend for the last few decades. She has noticed that it rains more near the summit than the base. The reason is that:
A) mountains trap fog and cloud input, thus reducing rainfall at sea level.
B) cool air descending from the summit warms, picking up moisture as it travels.
C) warm air cools as it rises and can't hold as much moisture.
D) dry, hot air from the base rises, picking up moisture.
E) Both B and C are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As warm air rises along the slopes of a mountain, it cools down. Cooler air can hold less moisture compared to warm air, leading to condensation and precipitation. This is a fundamental principle of orographic lift, where mountains force air to ascend, causing it to cool and release moisture as rain or snow.

A Retired Hiker Has Walked Up Mount Washington Every Weekend