What Is a Climate Caused by Elevation?

Life Zones

• When driving through a mountainous area, you can clearly observe the flora and fauna seem different at different elevations. These areas are grouped by altitude into "life zones," areas of similar vegetation and climate. Different geographic locations contain different life zones depending on factors such as distance to the ocean or soil type. The general rule of thumb, stated by naturalist C.H. Merriam, suggests that each mile of elevation gained is equivalent to 800 miles of latitude gained. Thus, moving upward causes climate changes broadly similar to moving away from the equator.

Elevation and Temperature

• At higher altitudes, temperatures grow colder by approximately 4 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet. This cooling effect stems from low atmospheric pressure -- with less air to push down on the mountains, the air molecules spread out and lose energy. As a result, even though a mountaintop is closer to the warming rays of the sun, it is much colder than the surrounding valleys.

Elevation and Precipitation

• Due to the temperature difference between elevations, air that is forced upward along a mountainside cools rapidly. This cooling causes evaporated water in the air to condense, creating clouds and rain. This process, known as orographic precipitation, explains why precipitation is more frequent at high altitudes.

Elevation and Wind

• Low air pressure and few obstructions causes high winds at high altitudes. For every mile of elevation, wind speeds increase by nearly 8 miles per hour. The very high winds on mountain peaks discourage growth of many plants, including large trees. Many mountains have "tree lines," a border between the lower-elevation life zone where trees can live and the high-elevation life zone above where winds are too rapid.

Mountains and Climate

• High-elevation areas contain their own life zones, but they also affect the climate of surrounding areas of low elevation. Mountains block the movement of moist air from bodies of water, drawing out the precipitation and creating deserts in "rain shadows." Melting snow from mountains creates climates below that vary starkly with the seasons and available water. The variable geography of mountain peaks causes a multitude of micro-climates, each harboring its own unique ecosystem.