Return to Meteorology Index PageRain Shadow
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A rain shadow occurs when clouds filled with moisture roll in from the sea. These clouds are trapped by coastal mountain ranges and can not rise over them because they are filled with moisture. The clouds build up along the mountain ranges and when the atmosphere becomes saturated it rains. After losing much of its moisture, the cloud begins to rise over the mountain to the other side. However, once it reaches the other side, it will not rain because the cloud is no longer filled with enough moisture creating a rain shadow. The rain shadow in turns creates a desert climate.