Which explains how the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California cause the southwestern United States to have a desert climate?

A. The mountains block warm moist winds from the Pacific Ocean. As the air rises, it cools and loses its moisture, leaving dry winds to blow over the southwest.

B. The mountains absorb excess heat energy from the sun, which warms the air over the southwest and causes the region to be a desert.

C. The mountains block warm moist winds from the Pacific Ocean. As the air rises, it heats up and loses its moisture, leaving hot, dry winds to blow over the southwest.

D. The mountains reflect excess heat energy from the sun, which warms the air over the southwest and causes the region to be a desert.

I think it's A.

Question

Geography

Katie Henson

19 January, 15:10

Which explains how the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California cause the southwestern United States to have a desert climate?

A. The mountains block warm moist winds from the Pacific Ocean. As the air rises, it cools and loses its moisture, leaving dry winds to blow over the southwest.

B. The mountains absorb excess heat energy from the sun, which warms the air over the southwest and causes the region to be a desert.

C. The mountains block warm moist winds from the Pacific Ocean. As the air rises, it heats up and loses its moisture, leaving hot, dry winds to blow over the southwest.

D. The mountains reflect excess heat energy from the sun, which warms the air over the southwest and causes the region to be a desert.

I think it's A.

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Omar Douglas · Answer 1

No, the answer is C. If it was A and the air cools, then why are deserts hot? The answer is C because as air rises it heats up and lose a its moisture through evaporation, leaving hot dry air for the deserts. This is called the rain shadow effect, where one side of the mountain is moist and cool and the other side is a desert.