Weather Dictionary / Glossary of Terms

Orographic Lifting


   Weather TermDescription / Definition
   Orographic Lifting Same as Upslope Flow; occurs when air is forced to rise and cool due to terrain features such as hills or mountains. If the cooling is sufficient, water vapor condenses into clouds. Additional cooling results in rain or snow. It can cause extensive cloudiness and increased amounts of precipitation in higher terrain.


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Data courtesy of NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration