While climate change is inevitable, topography has a unique influence on the weather. At higher elevations, temperatures are lower. Cold air is pushed to lower regions by gravity, while warm air is pushed north by the Labrador current. This result creates a polar vortex and causes warmer air to pool in valleys. Despite these differences, there are still many ways in which topography affects the weather.
In one study, scientists found that changes in topography affected precipitation and temperature. The results were consistent in each region, which was unexpected. The researchers also observed changes in the amount of precipitation and temperature at different elevations. The authors concluded that mountain ranges altered precipitation and temperature patterns, creating different microclimates at different elevations. The findings are particularly important in understanding climate change. They suggest that the effects of topography are not as significant as previously thought.
A study on the Tibetan Plateau and the Rocky Mountains found that mountainous areas tended to have milder climates than low-lying regions. This was partly due to the fact that mountainous areas have less precipitation, as the high mountains act as barriers to air movement and moisture. The mountain ranges are also important for the presence of rain clouds, allowing rain to fall in the lower elevations.