Final answer:
The point-forecast meteogram and time heights pages are tools used to display weather conditions and are not only limited to mountainous areas in the USA. They include weather maps and can show isobars and the rain shadow effect, as well as provide a global view of weather patterns through resources like the U.S. National Weather Service's real-time globe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The point-forecast meteogram and time heights pages are not limited to displaying information for mountainous areas within the USA alone. These tools are used by meteorologists to describe and predict weather conditions in various regions, including mountainous areas. For instance, weather maps showing areas of high and low pressure, indicated with the letters 'H' in blue and 'L' in red, are valuable in predicting weather patterns. The use of isobars, which are the gray lines that represent locations of constant pressure, helps in identifying weather systems.
The rain shadow effect is a geographic phenomenon where mountains can block rainfall from reaching certain areas, creating a rain shadow on the leeward side. This effect is pronounced in areas like Nevada, where the mountains are high enough to cast a shadow, impacting local weather conditions significantly. Moreover, the climate at weather observation sites can be a limiting factor, as in the best locations, the weather may only be clear 75% of the time, which can affect the collection of data.
A resource such as the U.S. National Weather Service's real-time globe of Earth shows wind patterns and can be manipulated to view specific regions, including but not limited to mountainous areas. This global view extends well beyond the USA, demonstrating the capability of these tools to analyze weather internationally, not just in mountainous or domestic areas.