A dry area on the leeward side of a mountain range, where moisture is blocked by the mountains on the windward side.
climateWhat is Rain Shadow?
Rain shadows are responsible for some of Southeast Asia’s most dramatic climate contrasts. Bagan in central Myanmar receives only 600 mm of rain per year because the Rakhine Yoma mountains block the southwest monsoon. The north coast of East Timor (Dili) is much drier than the south coast for the same reason. In Vietnam, the central highlands create a rain shadow effect that gives the central coast a different wet season timing than the rest of the country.
Key points
- A dry area on the leeward side of a mountain range, where moisture is blocked by the mountains on the windward side.
- Category: climate
Related terms
See also: rain-shadow is connected to other weather concepts. Browse the full glossary for related definitions.