Q.14 Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples. 

Model Answer :

Introduction

Mountain ranges play a significant role in shaping local weather conditions through various meteorological processes. 

Body

The Himalayas (Asia)

• Alignment: The Himalayas extend across five countries: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. They run in a west-to-east direction.
• Impact on Weathersome text
  • Rain Shadow Effect: The Himalayas block moist air masses coming from the Indian Ocean, creating a rain shadow effect on the leeward side, leading to arid conditions in regions like the Tibetan Plateau.
  • Monsoon Influence: They play a crucial role in the South Asian monsoon, causing heavy rainfall on the southern slopes, which supports lush vegetation and agriculture in the region.

The Andes (South America)

• Alignment: The Andes stretch along the western edge of South America, running from Venezuela in the north to Chile and Argentina in the south.
• Impact on Weathersome text
  • Rain Shadow Effect: The Andes create a rain shadow on the eastern side, leading to arid conditions in the Atacama Desert in Chile. Conversely, the western slopes receive significant rainfall due to moisture-laden winds from the Pacific Ocean.
  • Altitude Effects: High altitudes contribute to cooler temperatures and unique climatic zones, ranging from tropical rainforests to high-altitude deserts.

The Rocky Mountains (North America)

• Alignment: The Rockies extend from Canada through the United States to Mexico, running in a north-south direction.
• Impact on Weathersome text
  • Rain Shadow Effect: The Rockies create a rain shadow on the eastern side, leading to drier conditions in the Great Plains. The western slopes, however, receive significant precipitation.
  • Temperature Variations: Elevation changes contribute to diverse temperature and precipitation patterns, impacting ecosystems and weather patterns from the arid plains to the snow-covered peaks.

The Alps (Europe)

• Alignment: The Alps extend across eight countries in central Europe, including France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria, running in a west-east direction.
• Impact on Weathersome text
  • Rain Shadow Effect: The northern slopes of the Alps receive substantial rainfall, while the southern slopes experience drier conditions due to the rain shadow effect.
  • Temperature and Precipitation: The Alps influence regional climate by creating microclimates and contributing to snowfall patterns that impact local weather and tourism.

The Atlas Mountains (Africa)

• Alignment: The Atlas Mountains run across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia in North Africa, extending in a west-east direction.
• Impact on Weathersome text
  • Rain Shadow Effect: The Atlas Mountains cause a rain shadow effect, leading to arid conditions in the interior regions of Morocco and Algeria.
  • Local Climate: The mountains affect local weather by creating cooler temperatures and higher precipitation in the mountainous regions compared to the surrounding deserts.

The Ural Mountains (Russia)

• Alignment: The Urals stretch from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Ural River and Kazakhstan in the south, running in a north-south direction.
• Impact on Weathersome text
  • Barrier Effect: The Urals act as a barrier between the Arctic and temperate air masses, influencing regional climate and weather patterns across Russia.

Conclusion

In summary, mountain ranges create diverse climatic zones, influence precipitation patterns, and shape regional weather systems across the globe.

Instant Mains Evaluation with SuperKalam‍

Now that you have gone through the model answer, try practicing and writing it in your own words and evaluate it instantly with SuperKalam here - Evaluate Mains Answer instantly

‍