What is a consequence of increasing elevation on climate conditions?

Increasing elevation typically results in cooler temperatures due to the adiabatic cooling process. As air rises, it expands in lower pressure environments at higher altitudes and cools. This phenomenon causes an average decrease in temperature of about 6.5 degrees Celsius for every kilometer gained in elevation. This cooling effect is a fundamental aspect of mountain climates and greatly influences local weather patterns and ecosystems.

While warmer weather, increased humidity, and enhanced precipitation can occur in specific contexts or geographical locations, they do not represent the general trend observed with elevation increases. In fact, higher elevations are often associated with decreased humidity and precipitation relative to lower elevations, particularly in mountain ranges that can create rain shadows. Thus, cooler temperatures at higher elevations are a significant and consistent outcome when considering changes in climate conditions with increasing elevation.