Altitude In the Cascade Range in Washington, you can see how altitude affects climate. The mountains have snow on their peaks all year long. However, in nearby Seattle, it barely ever snows.

Seattle is at a lower altitude than the mountains. At higher altitudes, the air is less dense. When air loses density, it also loses heat, so the higher the altitude Opens in the modal popup window, the cooler the air temperature.

altitude
"Regions that are very mountainous are much colder than other lands at the same latitude."

When skies are clear, the snow-capped Mount Rainier is visible from Seattle.