Question

A. Where would the rain shadows occur on a mountain island at 15 degrees north latitude vs. one at 45 deg. north.

B. Explain the patterns and causes of wind patterns in the Northern Hemisphere from 0-30 degrees, 30 – 60 degrees, and 60 – 90 degrees.

Answer 1

A. The rain shadows occur on a mountain island at 45 deg. north

Because prevailing winds bring warm moist air to the wind ward side , rising air cools and condenses on the windward side and warm air advances rain shadow forms on leeward side. Mostly rain shadow at mid latitudes because of trade winds and westerlies.

B. The wind patterns are

0-30 degrees : Trade winds: prevailing winds blow northeast from 30 deg north latitude to equator. warm steady breezes that blow almost continuously.

30 – 60 degrees: Westerlies: Prevailing westerlies that wind blows west to east between 30 -60 degrees latitude

and 60 – 90 degrees : Polar easterlies: Prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60-90 degrees in Northern hemisphere