Final answer:
As moist ocean air moves towards a mountain, it rises up the mountain, cools, and condenses to cause precipitation on the windward side. As the air descends on the leeward side, it becomes warmer and drier, resulting in less precipitation and a 'rain shadow' effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
When air above an ocean moves towards a mountain, the weather on the mountain changes due to a phenomenon known as the rain shadow effect. As the moist air from the ocean approaches the mountain, it is forced to rise over the mountain range. During this process, the air cools and water vapor condenses, leading to precipitation, such as rain or snow, on the windward side of the mountain.
Once the air reaches the top and moves to the leeward side, it has less moisture. This air then descends, warms up, and becomes drier, leading to little or no precipitation on the leeward side. Therefore, the mountain's weather is likely to be wetter on the side where the ocean air is ascending and drier on the opposite side, creating a dry area known as a 'rain shadow'.