The Formation of Rain Shadow Deserts / The Orographic Effect

Student Organizer

Match the appropriate description with its corresponding area (A, B, C, D or Death Valley) from the diagram above:

____________  Air is very warm and dry, creating a “rain shadow desert” here
____________  Cooling triggers condensation, forming clouds and precipitation, and releasing additional heat into the air 
____________  Warm air rises as it moves eastward over the Sierra Nevadas.  The air expands and cools as it rises.
____________  Compression of dry, descending air warms it further.
____________  Warm moist air moves eastward over coastal California