The Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which categorizes "plant hardiness" ratings, shows the influence of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is found on single mountains such as Mount Kilimanjaro and also large areas of high elevation such as the Plateau of Tibet. These activities are concentrated in three areas: mountains, beaches, and Sandhills. As air is forced over higher ground, it cools, causing moisture to condense and fall as rain. Climate plays a major role in all of them. Why do mountains affect weather and climate? Elevations in the park range from approximately 875 feet to 6,643 feet and the topography can drastically affect local weather. Now, as the cloud starts to go down the other side of the mountain, there is no more precipitation. There are two sides to a mountain: wayward and leeward. One moment your view is clear and the next you have driven into dense fog. The minimum temperature west of the mountains is 5 degrees cooler than east of the mountains. The annual temperature averages 29 °C in areas of low elevation and 21 °C on the mountains. Whenever it is raining, the wayward side gets the rain. As a cloud goes up the mountain, it keeps raining until there is no more water in the cloud. North Carolina is a major tourist destination and a popular center for retirement. For instance, in Ecuador there are some tropical rainforests and just a couple of miles away is Cotopaxie, a frosted peek. The Plateau of Tibet (below) averages 20,000 feet above sea level--it is the largest area of high land on Earth. The Plateau of Tibet (below) averages 20,000 feet above sea level--it is the largest area of high land on Earth. Mountain Weather – Your Source for Weather in the Mountains Welcome to mountainweather.com Based in Jackson, Wyoming, covering local weather for Jackson Hole & the Teton Mountain Range, as well as, weather across the Mountain West & Alaska. Andes Mountain Climate Highland Climate (H) The Andes mountain climate is one of the most interesting climates in the world, because it changes drastically throughout the region. Mountains affect climate by blocking wind and receiving more rainfall than low-lying areas. So, this climate is found in high mountain areas. The climate of Puerto Rico is classified as a tropical rainforest climate and is characterized by warm to hot temperatures throughout the year. Whatever the weather may be when you visit Virginia, the long-term climate can be seen in the plants here. So, this climate is found in high mountain areas. Highland climate is the climate of 'high' 'land'. The Himalayas create a boundary between the relatively warm and moist air of India and the cold dry air mass over Tibet. This climate is sometimes called Alpine Climate. The higher a location is above sea level, the colder it is. 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