How Does a Mountain Range Squeeze the Rain Out of the Wind?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How does a mountain range squeeze the rain out of the wind?

The Big Idea

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.

Wind Climbs

Step one: wind climbs. When moist wind hits a mountain range, it is forced to go up. Wet air from the ocean has lots of invisible water vapor in it.

Cool and Rain

Step two: cooling and raining. As the air rises, it cools, and the water vapor turns into clouds, rain, or snow. This falls on the windward side, the side facing the wind.

Rain Shadow

Step three: a rain shadow. By the time the air passes the top and sinks down the other side, it has lost most of its water. The dry area behind the mountains is called a rain shadow.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The wind brings moist air from the ocean. It rains and snows on the side facing the wind. The air crosses the mountain crest. And the other side stays much drier.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Vancouver is wet and the Okanagan Valley behind the mountains is much drier. They are not very far apart. The mountains in between make all the difference. Rain shadows happen on mountain ranges all over the world.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Soak a sponge with water. Squeeze it as you move your hand up. The water falls out on the way up. The sponge is drier on the other side!

Outro

Mountains squeeze the rain out of the wind, leaving a dry rain shadow. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!