❓ why
Why do mountains create rain shadows?
ClimateMountains
Quick Answer
Moist air rises on the windward side, cools, and drops rain before crossing the range. The leeward side gets dry, sinking air and far less precipitation.
The Full Story
When moist air is forced up a mountain, it expands and cools, causing water vapour to condense into clouds and rain or snow. After the air passes over the ridge, it has lost much of its moisture and descends warmer and drier on the far side. This creates a rain shadow, which can make one side of a mountain lush and the other side semi-arid or desert-like. The effect is responsible for dry regions behind ranges such as the Andes and the Sierra Nevada.
Key Facts
1.Rain shadows form from orographic lifting
2.Air descends warmer and drier on the leeward side
3.Mountain ranges can create deserts behind them
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"How can a mountain turn one side green and the other side dry?"