Explain how mountains disrupt the idealized pattern of global precipitation, and how rain shadows are created.?
What will be the ideal response?
ANSWER: Mountain ranges disrupt the idealized pattern of global precipitation (1) by promoting convection (because their slopes are warmer than the surrounding air) and (2) by forcing air to rise along their windward slopes (orographic uplift). Consequently, the windward side of mountains tends to be “wet.” As air descends and warms along the leeward side, there is less likelihood of clouds and precipitation. Thus, the leeward (downwind) side of mountains tends to be “dry.” A region on the leeward side of a mountain where precipitation is noticeably less is called a rain shadow.
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