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The Rocky Mountains act as a barrier to prevailing westerly winds, causing moisture to be deposited on the western side, resulting in wetter conditions. As the air descends on the eastern side, it warms and becomes drier, leading to a rain shadow effect and drier climate in areas east of the Rockies.

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1y ago

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What landforms mark the western and eastern borders of southern India?

The Western Ghats mountains mark the western border of southern India, running parallel to the Arabian Sea. The Eastern Ghats mountains mark the eastern border of the region, running parallel to the Bay of Bengal.


Are the Eastern side of the mountains in California drier than the Western side?

Yes, the eastern side of the mountains in California is typically drier than the western side. This is due to the rain shadow effect, where the mountains block moisture from reaching the eastern side, leading to lower precipitation levels.


Why does less rain fall on eastern slopes of western mountains?

Less rain falls on the eastern slopes of western mountains because as moist air moves inland from the ocean, it is forced to rise over the mountains. As the air rises, it cools and condenses, leading to precipitation on the windward side (western slopes). By the time the air descends on the leeward side (eastern slopes), it has lost much of its moisture, resulting in drier conditions.


Why does the western side of Oregon receive more rain than the eastern side?

The western side of Oregon receives more rain due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, which brings moisture-laden air masses that result in precipitation. In contrast, the eastern side of Oregon is in rain shadow of the Cascade Mountain Range, which blocks much of the moisture from reaching that region, resulting in a drier climate.


How do mountains contribute to climate?

Mountains tend to block rain clouds and produce more rain on the side of the mountain closest to the source of the rain clouds such as the ocean and make it dry on the other side. A good example is the coastal mountains of northmen California, Oregon and Washington. The Western side get a lot a rain and the eastern side is quite dry.