Question

On Caribbean islands with mountains, the windward slopes facing the trade winds force air upward, causing rainfall. As a result, areas immediately to the leeward of the mountains have a microclimate with sparse precipitation called a/an

A. drought shadow.
B. ENSO.
C. rain shadow.
D. slope shadow.

Answer 1

Areas immediately to the leeward of mountains have a microclimate with sparse precipitation called a C. rain shadow. As moist air moves landward, it will hit the mountain, which will force the air to move up. As moist air moves higher, it becomes cooler and thus releases its moisture thereby causing rainfall. Once what's left of the clouds passes over the top of the mountain, its moisture has been lost and a rain shadow is formed.