Final answer:
Mountains significantly impact the creation of a marine west coast climate through the rain shadow effect, leading to higher rainfall on the windward side and drier conditions on the leeward side.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mountains do indeed play a significant role in the creation of a marine west coast climate through a phenomenon known as the rain shadow effect. When moist air masses coming from the ocean encounter a mountain range, they are forced upward, cooling and condensing to form precipitation that falls on the windward side of the mountains
. This process results in higher rainfall and a characteristic climate on this side of the mountains known as the marine west coast climate. Conversely, the leeward side of the mountain range receives significantly less precipitation, and in some cases, it may even create arid or semi-arid conditions as seen in various regions around the world, such as eastern Washington and Oregon or western China.