Why do some mountain ranges create rain shadows and nearby deserts?
Quick Answer
Mountains force moist air to rise, cool, and drop rain on the windward side. The air then descends drier on the leeward side, creating a rain shadow that can produce desert conditions.
The Full Story
This process is called orographic rainfall. As moist air climbs a mountain slope, it expands and cools, and water vapor condenses into clouds and precipitation. After losing much of its moisture, the air descends the far side of the range, warms up, and becomes less likely to produce rain. This is why deserts often sit behind major mountain chains such as the Andes or the Sierra Nevada. Rain shadows are a major reason some regions have lush forests on one side and arid land only a short distance away.
Key Facts
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