Natural Environment of the Pacific Northwest Rainshadow Effect

Rainshadow Effect Agenda Go over objectives Take notes on the Rainshadow Effect Short in-class activity Finish/turn in chapter vocabulary

Rainshadow Effect Objective: At the end of this lesson I should be able to… explain the 5 steps of the Rainshadow Effect. act out the Rainshadow Effect.

Rainshadow Effect Overview Most important climatic phenomenon in PNW Creates two differing natural environments

Rainshadow Effect Five steps

Rainshadow Effect First step Starts with warm ocean currents in the Pacific Air is warm and moist Wind blows the warm, moist air into the sides of the Olympic Mountains and the Coastal Mountains

Rainshadow Effect Second step Warm, moist air hits the western (windward) side of the mountains Air rises and cools Drops moisture on the side of the mountains

Rainshadow Effect Third step Air crests the mountains Air descends and warms Less moisture is dropped

Rainshadow Effect Fourth step Air moves across the Puget Sound Picks up more moisture

Rainshadow Effect Fifth step Air hits the western (windward) side of the Cascades As the air rises over the Cascades it drops moisture again Repeats process across Eastern WA

Rainshadow Effect Results Western (windward) slopes More rain Greener More people Eastern (leeward) slopes Less rain Drier Less people

Rainshadow Effect Activity Each row is going to get a card The card has one of the five steps Refer to your notes Take five minutes to devise a short skit (less than 1 minute) You will act these out for the class

Rainshadow Effect Tomorrow Turn in vocab (if you have not yet) West/East of the Cascades – co-teaching