A rain shadow is a region on the leeward side of a mountain where the air descends and warms, inhibiting cloud formation and precipitation. This results in drier conditions in the interior regions, as the moisture in the air is depleted before reaching these areas.
The regions in the interior of the Deccan Plateau and the Sahyadris receive low rainfall due to the rain shadow effect. This occurs because the Western Ghats block the moisture-laden winds coming from the Arabian Sea, causing precipitation to fall on the windward side (coastal areas) and leaving the leeward side (interior plateau) relatively dry.
Some mountain ranges block the flow of moisture from reaching the interior of a continent. The mountains force the humid air upward on the windward side of the mountain causing the rain to fall on that side and leaving little moisture to fall on the leeward side forming a rain shadow desert. See the diagram above.
great dividing range
The west coast of Canada, particularly regions like the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver, receive the highest amount of rainfall due to their proximity to the Pacific Ocean and prevailing westerly winds. Conversely, the interior regions of Canada, such as the Prairie provinces, experience less rainfall due to a rain shadow effect caused by the Rocky Mountains.
The rain shadow equals rain
The rain shadow equals rain
Mountain ranges can block the flow of moisture from crossing into the interior of a continent. The rain is forced to fall on the windward side of the mountains and little moisture falls on the leeward side and causes a rain shadow desert to form. See the above diagram.
Death Valley is a rain shadow desert in the U.S. It is in the rain shadow effect of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Mountain ranges can block moisture from reaching the interior of continents. Moist air is forced upward where it condenses and falls as rain or snow on the windward side of the mountains. The leeward side remains dry and a rain shadow desert forms. See the image above.
The area in a rainshadow receives less rain than a similar area not in a rain shadow.
A rain shadow.