Sierra Nevada (US)

The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range that is mostly in eastern California. The range is also known as The Sierra or The Sierras.

Interesting facts

A unique peculiarity of the Sierra Nevada is that, under certain wind conditions, a large circular tube of air begins to roll on the southeast side. This is known as

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the "Sierra Nevada Rotor." This "mountain wave" forms when dry continental winds from the east cause the formation of a stacked set of counter-revolving cylinders of air reaching into the stratosphere. As of 2004, no sailplane has found its top. Similar features occur on many mountain ranges, but it is often observed and utilized in the Sierra. All recent world altitude records set in unpowered aircraft were set in the Sierra Nevada Rotor, most flown from Mojave Airport.

Related Topics:
Sierra Nevada Rotor - Mojave Airport

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The Sierra Nevada casts the valleys east of the Sierra in a rain shadow, which makes Death Valley and Owens Valley "the land of little rain".

Related Topics:
Rain shadow - Death Valley - Owens Valley

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