Rain Shadow

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:

    The flowers are ravined
    by bees, the fruit blossoms

    are thrown to the ground, the wind
    the rain forces everything.
    Charles Olson (1910–1970)

    And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
    On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
    And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
    And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the
    floor;
    And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
    Shall be lifted—nevermore!
    Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849)