unit 4 - water and climate - earth scienceearthtoleigh.com/earth/documents/keynotes/water...
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Rainfall Patterns How does geography effect rainfall patterns?
Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands
THE BIG ISLAND
The Big Island’s Topography
Rainfall Patterns! The big island is located between 0° and 30° N with the
prevailing winds from the Northeast
DRY
60° SWET
DRY
S.E.
N.W.Winds
30° S
0°
60° N
30° N
WET
DRY
S.E.Winds
N.E.Winds
N.E.
S.W.Winds
DRY
Tropopause
Polar front
Polar front jet stream
Subtropicaljet streams
Polar front jet stream
WET
Prevailing Wind Direction
Rainfall Patterns! Mountains that intersect
prevailing winds can modify climate patterns
Rainfall Patterns! Windward - the side the
wind strikes first
Rainfall PatternsWindward Side! Air rises! Air expands and cools! Air condenses and rains! Lots of vegetation! Plenty of rain
Rainfall Patterns! Leeward - the side of the
mountain that is sheltered from the wind
Rainfall PatternsLeeward Side! Air sinks! Air contracts! Air warms! Minimal rain! Minimal vegetation
Rainfall Patterns
LEEWARD
WINDWARD
The Big Island’s Precipitation