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Which side of the mountain receives the least precipitation?
leeward side
Much of airborne moisture falls as rain on the windward side of mountains. This often means that the land on the other side of the mountain (the leeward side) gets far less rain—an effect called a “rain shadow”—which often produces a desert.
What is the side of a mountain called that gets very little rain?
A rain shadow is a patch of land that has been forced to become a desert because mountain ranges blocked all plant-growing, rainy weather. On one side of the mountain, wet weather systems drop rain and snow. On the other side of the mountain—the rain shadow side—all that precipitation is blocked.
Which side of a mountain typically receives more precipitation?
windward side
When air runs into a mountain, the side of the mountain that it hits first is called the windward side. This is where air is forced to rise, and this is the side of the mountain that often sees the heaviest precipitation.
How do mountain ranges affect precipitation?
Mountains can have a significant effect on rainfall. When air reaches the mountains, it is forced to rise over this barrier. As the air moves up the windward side of a mountain, it cools, and the volume decreases. As a result, humidity increases and orographic clouds and precipitation can develop.
Which country has lowest rainfall?
Lowest Average Annual Precipitation Extremes
| Continent | Place | Years of record |
|---|---|---|
| World (South America) | Arica, Chile | 59 |
| Africa | Wadi Halfa, Sudan | 39 |
| Antarctica | Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station | 10 |
| North America | Batagues, Mexico | 14 |
What kind of precipitation causes dry areas to develop on the leeward sides of mountain ranges?
The rain shadow effect often causes dry areas — and even deserts — to develop on the lee- ward sides of mountain ranges.
Does elevation affect precipitation?
3 Answers. Elevation affects precipitation significantly, especially in a mountain environment. On the windward side of a mountain, precipitation is increased. As air parcel rises due to increasing elevation on the windward side of the mountain, the air parcel cools, condenses, and it rains.
How does rain and wind affect mountains?
Mountains can also affect precipitation. Mountains and mountain ranges can cast a rain shadow. As winds rise up the windward side of a mountain range, the air cools and precipitation falls. On the other side of the range, the leeward side, the air is dry, and it sinks.