The marked reduction in precipitation on the leeward side of a mountain range compared to its windward side, produced because orographic lift wrings most of the moisture from air as it crosses the range, leaving relatively dry air to descend on the far side. Deserts such as the Atacama and the Great Basin owe much of their aridity to the rain shadow cast by neighboring mountain ranges.
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Process TypeAtmospheric Circulation 1 Rain Shadow Effect
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1. Rain Shadow Effect (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIntroductionQuote, Introduction
A rain shadow is an area of significantly reduced rainfall behind a mountainous region, on the side facing away from prevailing winds, known as its leeward side.
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