EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The windward slope of a mountain range receives more precipitation than the leeward slope in orographic precipitation because the air descends down the slope and gets warmed up. The leeward slope is thus drier and is regarded as the region of the rain-shadow.

Detailed explanation-2: -When air runs into a mountain, the side of the mountain that it hits first is called the windward side. This is where air is forced to rise, and this is the side of the mountain that often sees the heaviest precipitation.

Detailed explanation-3: -The windward side of the mountain faces the wind. The leeward side is the side of the mountain that is downwind. There is less wind on this side because it is blocked by the mountain on the other side. The leeward side of a mountain is usually dry compared to the windward side.

Detailed explanation-4: -As the air moves to the other side of the island, it warms up and dries out. Thus, an island’s windward side is wetter and more verdant than its drier leeward side. Meteorologists call this contrast the orographic effect.

Detailed explanation-5: -In all circumstances in which the terms are used, the windward side of the reference point is the one that faces the prevailing wind. The leeward-or “lee"-side is the one sheltered from the wind by the reference point. Windward and leeward aren’t frivolous terms.