Rain Shadow Effect

1. An area covered by the rain shadow effect is also known as the ____ side.

• Leeward

• Sideward

• Windward

• Land

On the leeward side of a mountain, you might find _____.

• Heavy rainfall

• Less vegetation

• More vegetation

• More snow

What landform causes the rain shadow effect?

• Mountains

• Lakes

• Plains

• Valleys

Review the image and answer the following question.

Why do rain shadows exist on the lee side of mountain ranges?

• As air descends on the lee side of a mountain range, its moisture-holding capacity increases and it picks up moisture rather than releasing it.

• It is too far from an ocean to hold moisture long enough to drop it in the area of a rain shadow.

• Soils are too thin in these regions to hold moisture, so none is available for evaporation.

• These areas are generally very cold, and all water is frozen, and thus not available for evaporation.

Review the image and answer the following question.

In the western United States, most rain shadows occur on what side of the mountain ranges?

• west

• south

• north

• east