In 2012 I did this with the white boards In 2012 I did this with the white boards. I gave them about 5 minutes to work as a group and then projected the “Things to Consider” slide.

Why is Western Washington always so rainy in the fall and winter?

Why is Western Washington always so rainy in the fall and winter? The direction in which the air masses move The types of Earth’s surfaces that are involved The temperature of Earth’s surfaces that are involved The amount of solar radiation the region is receiving Seasonal differences (this question is about fall/winter) Differences in elevation (air masses rising or sinking) The speed of the molecules as the air masses encounter changes What happens when the molecules change speed (especially slow down)

Why is Western Washington always so rainy in the fall and winter?

Why is Western Washington always so rainy in the fall and winter?

Why is Western Washington always so rainy in the fall and winter? Our air masses almost always come from the Pacific. The Pacific stays about 55° while our air masses over Western WA are about 40° (in the winter). Western WA is cooler because we have shorter days (less solar radiation to heat the land = cooler air). The warmer air (Pacific) hits the cooler land (Western WA) and starts to cool down. As the air masses hit the mountains they rise and cool. The water molecules in the air slow down as they cool. The water molecules slow down and condense into clouds and continue to condense leading to rain.