Church Mountain (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church Mountain |
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True summit of Church Mountain from the lookout site
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,315 ft (1,925 m) |
| Prominence | 1,115 ft (340 m) |
| Geography | |
 Church Mountain
Location in Washington (state)
Church Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Glacier |
Church Mountain is a cool mountain peak that stands 6,315-foot (1,925-metre) tall. It's located north of Mount Baker in Whatcom County, in the state of Washington, U.S.. From the very top, you can see amazing 360-degree views of the area. This includes Mount Baker to the south and Mount Shuksan to the southeast.
What's the Weather Like on Church Mountain?
Church Mountain is in a special weather area called the "marine west coast climate zone." This means it gets a lot of influence from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
How Weather Works Here
Most of the weather comes from the Pacific Ocean. Big weather systems, called "fronts," travel northeast towards the Cascade Mountains. When these fronts hit the tall peaks of the Cascades, they are forced to rise. As they go up, the air cools down and drops its moisture. This causes a lot of rain or snow to fall on the mountains. This process is called "Orographic Lift".
Seasons and Temperatures
Because it's close to the Pacific Ocean, the west side of the Cascades gets a lot of rain and snow, especially in winter. It rarely gets super cold (below 0 °F (−18 °C)) or super hot (above 80 °F (27 °C)).
During winter, it's often cloudy. But in summer, high-pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean usually bring clear skies. The rain and melted snow from Church Mountain flow into streams that eventually join the Nooksack River.
