Denny Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Denny Mountain |
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![]() Denny Mountain from Snoqualmie Pass area
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 5520+ ft (1682+ m) NGVD 29 |
Prominence | 240 ft (73 m) |
Geography | |
Parent range | Cascades |
Topo map | USGS Snoqualmie Pass |
Denny Mountain is a mountain peak located near Snoqualmie Pass in Washington state, USA. On its eastern side, you'll find the popular Alpental ski area.
The mountain is named after Arthur A. Denny. He was an important person in the early history of Seattle. Arthur Denny helped build the Snoqualmie Pass Road. This road later became part of I-90, a major highway that runs along the southern base of Denny Mountain.
Weather at Denny Mountain
Denny Mountain is in a special climate zone called the marine west coast climate. This means it gets a lot of rain and snow. Most of the weather systems that bring rain and snow start over the Pacific Ocean. They then travel northeast towards the Cascade Mountains.
How Mountains Affect Weather
When these weather systems reach the tall Cascade Mountains, the air is forced to rise. As the air goes higher, it cools down. This causes the moisture in the air to turn into rain or snow. This process is called Orographic lift. Because of this, the western side of the Cascades gets a lot of precipitation. This is especially true during the winter months, when heavy snowfall is common.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
In winter, the weather is usually cloudy. But in summer, high pressure systems form over the Pacific Ocean. These systems often bring clear skies and sunshine to the area. The snow here tends to be wet and heavy because of the ocean's influence. This type of snow can sometimes lead to a higher risk of avalanches. An avalanche is when a large amount of snow slides quickly down a mountain.