05/22/2023
When the wind blows nearly perpendicular to a mountain range, the air cannot go through the mountain. As a result, it is forced to rise, and the moisture in the air begins to condense and form clouds. This motion is known as upslope flow. If the orographic uplift is strong enough, thunderstorms may develop during the spring and summer. This happens frequently in the North Carolina Mountains.
Photo Credit: Asheville Pictures