Mount Pelée, which rises from sea level and culminates at 4,583 ft (1,397 m) of altitude, benefits from a layering of climate and vegetation. The tropical temperatures at its base (around 77°F / 25°C) can drop below 50°F (10°C) at its summit, while the altitude and exposure to winds favor rainfall of around 393.7 inches (10,000 mm) per year. On the Caribbean side, the gently sloping and fertile slopes of the volcano are home to a tall grass prairie vegetation followed by banana fields and localized forests, while the other, wilder slopes are covered with tall trees and then ferns.