Mountains and Rain Shadows

Students explore how climate conditions can be completely different on either side of a mountain range in this interactive lesson from WGBH. Through satellite images, graphics, and video, they learn how winds, the ocean, and landforms interact to form clouds, precipitation, and rain shadows. Students analyze temperature and precipitation data presented in climographs to further support their understanding of how mountains can affect climate. As a summative activity, students use digital tools to create their own model illustrating how rain shadows form.