Why Does It Snow So Much More in the Mountains than in the Valleys?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does it snow so much more in the mountains than in the valleys?

The Big Idea

It snows so much more in the mountains because rising air cools and drops its water! Mountains push moist air upward. Higher up, it is colder, so more falls as snow.

Air Pushed Up

Step one: air is pushed up. As moist air is pushed up a mountain, it cools. Cold air holds less water than warm air, so extra water has to come out.

Clouds and Snow

Step two: clouds release snow. Because cold air cannot hold so much water, clouds form and release their water. The higher you go, the colder it gets, so more falls as snow instead of rain.

Snowpack

Step three: the snowpack. Snow stacks up all winter and becomes the snowpack. In spring, it melts slowly and gives rivers and lakes their water. Mountains are like giant frozen water towers.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Moist wind blows toward the mountain. The mountain pushes it upward, and it cools. Clouds form and fill with ice crystals. Then heavy snow falls on the slopes.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Some mountain ranges get more than 30 feet of snow in a winter. That is taller than a two-story house. Melting snowpack feeds rivers that many towns use for water. That is why scientists measure snow depth carefully.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Make a chart for one week. Each day, record whether it is rain or snow in your town. Do the same for a higher place nearby, using a weather app. Which place gets more snow?

Outro

Mountains get more snow because rising air cools and drops its water. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!