rain shadow

American  

noun

Meteorology.

1. a region in the lee of mountains that receives less rainfall than the region windward of the mountains.

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rain shadow British  

noun

1. the relatively dry area on the leeward side of high ground in the path of rain-bearing winds

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rain shadow Scientific  

1. An area having relatively little precipitation due to the effect of a topographic barrier, especially a mountain range, that causes the prevailing winds to lose their moisture on the windward side, causing the leeward side to be dry.

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Etymology

Origin of rain shadow

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The team sampled soils from six Kansas locations, spanning the wetter eastern region to the higher, drier High Plains in the west, which receive less rain because of the Rocky Mountains' rain shadow.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2025

A historic city of exposed wood structures in a thirsty rain shadow.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 11, 2023

If Provence is the sun king of lavender fields, then Sequim is the rain shadow queen.

From Washington Post • Jul. 22, 2022

Its sunny and dry microclimate in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains means this fragrant crop grows incredibly well here.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2021

Surprisingly, the coast is also walled off from moisture on the Pacific side, where the trade winds create a second rain shadow.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann