Book 20, Question 86
How Does a Mountain Range Squeeze the Rain Out of the Wind?
A mountain range squeezes the rain out of the wind like squeezing a wet sponge! Moist wind is forced to climb up the mountains. By the time it comes down the other side, it has lost most of its water.
More fun facts
- Moist air rising over mountains cools and drops its rain.
- Much of it falls on the windward side.
- The far side gets much less rain.
- Places sheltered by mountains are in a rain shadow.
- Snow and rain in mountains are hard to measure because they vary so much.
Questions kids ask
What is a rain shadow?
It is a dry place sheltered by mountains, on the far side from where moist air drops its rain.