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This
panoramic view shows Mt. Jefferson and the surrounding ramparts
of Park Ridge. This image also shows the Cascade Range "rain
shadow" in action. The heavy clouds to the west (right)
have condensed as moist Pacific air presses against the high
peaks. As the clouds pass over the range, moisture precipitates
out as snow and rain, and the clouds quickly evaporate as they
pass to the east (left in this view) of the range, creating the
rain shadow effect. While rainfall amounts on the west side of
the range can reach as high as 200 inches per year, the rain
shadow creates a desert to the east, where rainfall is just 10
or 12 inches per year. This rainfall gradient can occur in the
span of just a few miles. |
