Which Area of a Mountain Would Be Expected to Receive

Question

Which area of a mountain would be expected to receive the most precipitation?
A) the peak
B) leeward side
C) windward side
D) north slope

Accepted Answer

The windward side of a mountain generally faces the direction from which the prevailing winds come, and is therefore the first to receive moisture from the air. As the air rises, it cools and condenses, leading to precipitation. The leeward side, on the other hand, tends to be drier as the air is forced to descend and warm up, leading to reduced moisture and a rain shadow effect. The peak and north slope are not necessarily indicative of areas with higher precipitation.