The prevailing winds on the Hawaiian island of Kauai blow from the northeast. The winds cool as they go up the slope of Mt. Waialeale (elevation 1523 m), causing water vapor to condense and rain to fall. There is much more precipitation at the summit than at the base of the mountain. In fact, Mt. Waialeale is the rainiest spot on earth, averaging 11.7 m of rainfall a year. But what makes the winds cool?