The cold mountain climate prevails in mountainous locations. For example, this type of climate influences the mountain ranges of the Alps, located in Europe; the Rocky Mountains in the United States; the Andes Mountains in South America and the Himalayas in Asia.
In this type of climate, temperature and rainfall are directly influenced by the relief. And because of the relief conditions, the cold of the mountain is the only climate to be registered in three different zones, hot, temperate and cold.
It is possible to observe the temperature drop of about 6 ºC for every thousand meters of altitude and above the 2000 meters there is constant snow. This is because with altitude there is a decrease in the absorption of solar energy by the ground and in atmospheric pressure, which is lower. The higher the altitude, the lower the atmospheric pressure and temperature drops because the air retains less heat as it rises.
Pressure also influences the pattern of winds, which cool down quickly as altitude increases. In general, the winds are turbulent because with the reduction in altitude, the warmer mass descends the mountain and, therefore, the risk of avalanches in these places is high.
Due to the combination of pressure, altitude and radiation, in areas under the influence of the cold mountain climate, weather conditions can change drastically from one hour to another. These areas receive more precipitation because the temperature at the top of the mountain is lower than the temperature at sea level.
Winds carry moist air over land, where there is more heat. As it rises, the air cools because cold carries less moisture than hot air and therefore rains occur.
Characteristics of the cold mountain climate
- Direct influence of relief on meteorology
- Sudden changes in weather
- Constant snow in higher areas
- Vegetation consisting of steppe forests in the lower areas
- Absent vegetation on the highest mountain peaks
Cold Mountain Climate Vegetation
Vegetation growth in areas under the influence of the cold mountain climate also depends on a combination of altitude, atmospheric pressure, radiation and rainfall factors. On the lower slopes, the mountains are generally covered with broadleaf forests formed by lower-altitude coniferous trees and higher-altitude pine trees.
The vegetation becomes smaller with altitude, growing only grasses capable of withstanding extreme temperature conditions. The vegetation tends to disappear at the top of the highest mountains, which are taken by snow.
Europe's cold mountain climate
In Europe, the influence of the cold mountain climate occurs in the Alps and Pyrenees, where rainfall is regularly distributed throughout the year. The extensive and rigorous winter is characteristic, with constant snowfall and frost in the lower areas.
Complement your climate studies with the following contents:
- Types of Climate
- Polar climate
- semiarid climate
- Tropical weather
- Subtropical climate
- equatorial climate
- Temperate climate
