Orography

Orography is the study of the topographic relief of mountains,[1] and can more broadly include hills, and any part of a region's elevated terrain.

This adiabatic cooling of a rising moist air parcel may lower its temperature to its dew point, thus allowing for condensation of the water vapor contained within it, and hence the formation of a cloud.

Orography can play a major role in determining the type, amount, intensity, and duration of precipitation events.

Researchers have discovered that barrier width, slope steepness, and updraft speed are major contributors when it comes to achieving the optimal amount and intensity of orographic precipitation.

Computer models simulating these factors have shown that narrow barriers and steeper slopes produce stronger updraft speeds, which in turn increase orographic precipitation.