The general influence of increased elevation is first to bring an increase in precipitation, at least for the first few thousand feet of elevation. This is due to the production of orographic rainfall, generated by the forced ascent of air masses and the resultant cooling of the air. Above elevations of 6000 to 10,000 ft (1800 to 3000 m), which form the zone of heaviest rainfall in low latitudes, precipitation increase begins to slacken with elevation, owing to the inability of air at the lower temperatures to hold, and therefore to give up, as much moisture.
Generally speaking, mountains and plateaus are humid climate zones. This is particularly striking in an arid or semiarid region, where the mountains form islands of humid climate surrounded by desert or steppe. Reduction in temperatures results in reduced evaporation, so that a humid condition prevails.
From the standpoint of river flow and floods, mountain climates are of greatest importance in middle latitudes. The higher ranges serve as snow storage areas, keeping back the precipitation until early or midsummer, releasing it slowly through melting, and thus aiding in the maintenance of continuous river flow. As melting proceeds to successively higher levels, the melt water is supplied to the drainage basin.
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