Elevation causes temperatures in mountainous regions to become cooler.

In mountainous regions, higher elevations lead to cooler temperatures because the atmosphere becomes thinner with altitude, reducing its ability to hold heat. This cooling effect occurs at a rate of approximately 3.5°F (or 6.5°C per 1,000 meters) for every 1,000-foot increase in elevation, a pattern known as the environmental lapse rate. The result is a unique climate on mountains, with cooler temperatures and even snowfall at high altitudes, which can lead to diverse vegetation zones and ecological habitats at different elevations. This temperature decrease with elevation is a defining feature of mountainous climates worldwide.