rain shadow

noun

: a region of reduced rainfall on the lee side of high mountains

Examples of rain shadow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The lower totals in the valleys are a result of the rain shadow effect, where outlying mountain ranges keep storm clouds from bringing their full effect overhead Gass said. Austin Turner, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2024 Hidden in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, Mustang borders the Tibetan Plateau and has a distinctive, windswept red-desert landscape. Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2023 On islands such as Maui, where a volcanic spine runs down the middle of the island, the eastern flanks are generally moist and lush — while the western slopes are in a rain shadow and typically drier. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2023 Thanks to the rain shadow effect caused by the hills in San Mateo County and the Santa Cruz Mountains, most showers and winds are forecast to be light for residents south of Millbrae along the 101 and 280 corridors, including Foster City, Redwood City and Atherton. Gerry Díaz, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for rain shadow 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rain shadow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rain shadow was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near rain shadow

Cite this Entry

“Rain shadow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rain%20shadow. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

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