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Why do the south- and southwest-facing slopes of the Greater Caucasus receive especially heavy rainfall?

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Snow-covered peaks and ridges of the Caucasus Mountains in Russia stretch across the landscape under a pale sky. — Caucasus Caucasus Mountains in Russia.

The south- and southwest-facing slopes of the Greater Caucasus receive especially heavy rainfall—reaching more than 160 inches (4,000 mm) annually—because the mountain range stands at an angle to the prevailing westerly air currents.12

At elevations above approximately 6,500 feet (2,000 meters), these westerly winds dominate, bringing maritime influences that interact with the topography of the range. As these moisture-laden air currents encounter the south- and southwest-facing slopes, they are forced upward, leading to increased precipitation compared to the surrounding plains.12