What is a Banana Belt Anyway?
The Royal Gorge Region is Colorado’s Climate Capital in part because it’s in a banana belt. However, many people may read “banana belt” and not know what it means.
So, we’re here to explain…
A banana belt is any segment of a larger geographic region that enjoys warmer weather conditions than the region as a whole, especially in the wintertime.
The term “banana belt” is broad enough that it can be used to describe everything from the entire Antarctic Peninsula, to the southern part of American Midwest states, to microclimate areas of mountain ranges, such as the Royal Gorge Region.
Banana belts like the Royal Gorge Region may form on the lee sides of mountain slopes caused by orographic lift. When air rises over the top of a mountain range, it cools and releases moisture on the windward slope. As the air is pulled down the other side, it is compressed and heated via adiabatic heating, and it warms and dries territory in the mountain’s rain shadow.
This means that when much of Colorado is blasted by cold temperatures, the Royal Gorge Region is most likely a whole lot warmer, with days ideal for mountain biking, hiking, or rock climbing.