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As we know, it has been an unusually cold winter for the areas of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. All this talk of the Rocky Mountains has reminded me of another mountain range in the US... the Appalachians. The Appalachians are the oldest mountain chain in the world, and legend has it that these mountains once had peaks soaring so high as to make the Himalayas look like mere mole hills.
My understanding is that mountain ranges can have an impact on climates, doing things such as blocking cold air. However, looking at records, it seems as if the Appalachian mountains aren't doing anything prevent cold air from making it to the east. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that they aren't tall enough anymore.
So my question to you all is: If the Appalachian mountains were at their original height (taller than the Himalayas), how would the climate of the Eastern US differ? Will the STD be lower? Will the subtropical climate in the south see NO cold snaps EVER? What about cities in the Northeast?