Which type of rainfall occurs when warm, moist air is forced to ascend a steep mountain barrier, cooling adiabatically and releasing heavy precipitation on the windward side?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Orographic rainfall happens when physical obstacles like mountain ranges force moisture-laden air masses upward, leading to rapid adiabatic cooling, condensation, and heavy precipitation on the windward slopes. Convectional rainfall results from intense surface heating creating local air bubbles that rise and form thunderstorms. Frontal precipitation occurs when distinct warm and cold air masses collide along a sloping boundary surface. Orographic barriers are primarily responsible for the heavy rainfall along the western coast of India.