| lobal weather is to a large extent the result of | | | | Generally, when a storm is intercepted by a |
| the sun's effect, along with the atmosphere and | | | | mountain or a terrain or buildings, its rotation |
| the rotation of the earth. The earth on which this | | | | meets with an obstruction, in turn slowing it down |
| weather moves on has its own effect on the | | | | and robbing its severity. |
| weather. The different features of the land and | | | | Mountain ranges also exert an influence on the |
| the sea exert quite a commendable influence on | | | | earth's weather. As a low pressure trough |
| the local and the global weather systems of the | | | | approaches a mountain chain it moves upward |
| earth. | | | | and spread. With this the rotational speed of the |
| Huge water bodies absorb and release the heat in | | | | wind decreases and loses much of its strength. |
| a slow process. On the other hand the land mass | | | | Rain shadow effects are also caused by colossal |
| is quicker in its heating and cooling. This causes a | | | | mountains. When an air current moves towards a |
| large difference in the temperature of night and | | | | mountain and is obstructed, it moves up and |
| day on land and around the sea. The minimum | | | | there it condenses and comes down as rain. As a |
| and maximum temperatures are also recorded | | | | result feet of high mountains are generally areas |
| faraway from the coastal areas. | | | | with heavy rainfall record. |
| Since during the day heating of the land mass | | | | The precipitation falls on the windward side or the |
| causes greater convection of air, clouds are | | | | peaks. If the air reaches the leeward side of the |
| formed quicker over the land. Such distinctive | | | | mountain then they tend to lose their strength |
| features play significant roles even in the | | | | and sink and even dry up. As a result the leeward |
| production of different kinds of wind, from the | | | | side receives very scanty or no rainfall and |
| sea breezes to the monsoon winds. | | | | comes to be called a rain shadow region. The |
| A friction between the weather system and the | | | | eastern side of the Rockies and the central plain |
| land mass can also cause quite a change in the | | | | land in the US are some rain shadow areas. A rain |
| earth's weather. This is seen when hurricanes | | | | shadow zone with prolonged bout of no-rainfall |
| cause landfall and make a move onshore. | | | | can effect into the formation of deserts. |