Book 1, Question 61 · Video
Why Are Deserts So Dry? Three Big Reasons!
Deserts are not just hot, they are super dry! The page gives three big reasons: they get very little rain, often less than about 10 inches a year; mountains can cause a rain shadow
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why are deserts so dry?
The Big Idea
Deserts aren't just hot. They're super dry! Here's the big idea: deserts get very little rain. And there are three big reasons why.
Little Rain
Reason one: little rain. Deserts get very little precipitation. That's rain, snow, or hail. Most deserts get less than about twenty-five centimeters, or ten inches, of rain in a whole year. Some get much less!
Rain Shadow
Reason two: the mountain rain shadow. Wind blows moist air toward mountains. The air rises, cools, and drops its rain on the windy side. By the time the air gets over the mountains, it's dry. Hello, desert!
Sinking Air
Reason three: sinking air, or far from the ocean. In some places, like the Sahara, air sinks and warms up. Warm, sinking air can't make clouds, so no rain! Other deserts are so far from the ocean that moist winds just don't reach them.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at a rain shadow! Moist air blows in and rises up the mountain. As it cools, clouds drop their rain on the windy side. The air that reaches the other side is dry, so a desert forms there.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the driest places on Earth. Some parts can go years without a drop of rain! Deserts aren't always hot. Antarctica is the biggest desert on Earth! Desert nights can be very cold, because dry air doesn't hold heat well. Cactuses store water inside their thick stems.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Find a desert next to mountains on a map. Look at both sides of the mountains. Which side is drier? Can you spot the rain shadow? Look for patterns. Think like a scientist!
Outro
Deserts are so dry because rain gets blocked, sinking air stops clouds, or the ocean is too far away! Keep asking, keep exploring! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!