A rain shadow is a dry area on the lee back side of a mountainous area. The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems casting a "shadow" of dryness behind them.
As shown by the diagram to the right, the incoming warm and moist air is "pulled" by the prevailing winds towards the top of the mountains where it condenses and precipitates before it crosses the top. The air, without much moisture left, advances behind the mountains creating a dryer side called "rain shadow."
Read more about Rain Shadow: Description, Regions of Notable Rain Shadow
Famous quotes containing the words rain and/or shadow:
“Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.”
—John Updike (b. 1932)
“before its great shadow joined
the walls and roof and seemed
to uphold the hall like a beam.”
—Denise Levertov (b. 1923)