orographic
adjective
oro·graph·ic
ˌȯr-ə-ˈgra-fik 
variants
or less commonly orographical
: of or relating to mountains
especially
: associated with or induced by the presence of mountains
orographic rainfall
Examples of orographic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Of course, the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Sunset fire zones are all located on — or adjacent to — hilly terrain where the combination of slope and maybe even some orographic enhancement could increase rainfall and debris flow amounts.
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Tom Tapp, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
For portions of Puerto Rico, moisture associated with Jerry combined with local orographic effects may result in up to 2 to 4 inches of rain, with isolated 6 inches.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Notice all the dark blue spots around the West Coast mountains, for example, where Pacific Ocean moisture gets carried by westerly winds, squeezing out more snowfall through what is known as orographic lift.
—Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
The weather models clearly identified the potential anomaly rainfall setting up: PRE, fast-moving hurricane that would take time to wind down, and orographic enhancement associated with the elevated terrain.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
In the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, Helene’s rain was enhanced by the terrain and what’s known as orographic uplift.
—Cary Mock, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2024
In this case, the Catoctin Mountains helped force air flowing in from the west to rise through a process known as orographic lift.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024
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Tom Tapp, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
For portions of Puerto Rico, moisture associated with Jerry combined with local orographic effects may result in up to 2 to 4 inches of rain, with isolated 6 inches.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Notice all the dark blue spots around the West Coast mountains, for example, where Pacific Ocean moisture gets carried by westerly winds, squeezing out more snowfall through what is known as orographic lift.
—Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
The weather models clearly identified the potential anomaly rainfall setting up: PRE, fast-moving hurricane that would take time to wind down, and orographic enhancement associated with the elevated terrain.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
In the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, Helene’s rain was enhanced by the terrain and what’s known as orographic uplift.
—Cary Mock, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2024
In this case, the Catoctin Mountains helped force air flowing in from the west to rise through a process known as orographic lift.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Orographic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orographic. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
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