Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A rain shadow refers to the dry area on the leeward side of a mountain range that receives significantly less rainfall compared to the windward side.
Related terms
Orographic Effect: The orographic effect describes how mountains can influence weather patterns by forcing air to rise, cool down, and release moisture as precipitation.
Prevailing Winds: Prevailing winds are global wind patterns that blow consistently in a particular direction over large areas of Earth's surface.
Evapotranspiration: Evapotranspiration is the combined process of water evaporation from land surfaces and transpiration from plants into the atmosphere.