Question

Rain shadow area is associated with which type of rainfall?
A. Convectional rainfall
B. Orographic rainfall
C. Cyclonic rainfall
D. Frontal rainfall

Answer 1

Hint: Rain shadow area is also called the leeward side of a mountain. It is the type of rainfall most common in mountainous areas. It is caused due to the physical structure of the area.

Complete Answer:
Rain is the precipitation in liquid form. It is water vapour in the atmosphere that has condensed into droplets and then become heavy. It is an important part of the water cycle. it is responsible for providing most of the freshwater on the Earth. Depending on the reasons for the cause of the rainfall, it is divided into different types.

We shall see below what each of these different types of rainfall mean and which is the correct answer-
A. Convectional rainfall is caused when the sun heats the surface of the earth and causes water to evaporate as water vapour. The warm, moisture laden air rises upwards. As the air rises, it cools and condenses. This causes rainfall. So, this is not the correct option.

B. Orographic rainfall is caused when moisture carrying air is lifted upwards when it moves over a mountain. When air rises and cools, it starts condensing and causes rainfall. The rainfall is heavy on the windward side and much less on the leeward side (rain shadow area). Therefore, this is the correct option.

C. Cyclonic rainfall is caused due to cyclonic activities and occurs mostly in coastal areas. So, this is not the correct option.

D. Frontal rainfall is rainfall that is caused when two masses of air of different humidity, temperature, and density meet. Therefore, this is also not the correct option.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: Rain shadow areas get very little rainfall. They are mostly dry, warm areas. The Death valley in California is one of the hottest places on earth, and lies in the rain shadow area of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Areas in rain shadow regions have a higher risk of wildlife due to the warm temperature and arid environment.