How Does Mountain ranges and their effect on climate Work?

Mountains act like giant stone walls that stop the wind and force clouds to climb up, which makes one side wet and the other side dry.

Imagine you are blowing up a balloon. As the air goes up the mountain, it stretches out and gets thinner, just like your balloon skin. When air stretches, it gets cold. Cold air cannot hold water vapor, so the water turns into tiny drops. These drops form clouds that drop rain or snow on the side facing the wind. This is called the windward side. It is usually green and wet.

After the clouds give up their water, the now-dry air slides down the other side of the mountain. As it slides down, it gets squeezed and warm again. This side is called the leeward side. Because the rain fell on the other side, this side stays dry. It can become a desert. Think of it like squeezing a wet sponge. You push the water out on one side, leaving the other side dry and dusty.

So mountains are like a big filter for rain. They catch the water on one side and leave the other side thirsty.