The prevailing winds in Oregon are from the west. The Oregon Cascades are south of the Washington Cascades, which are also near the coast. Which side of the Oregon Cascades will receive the highest levels of precipitation?
A) west
B) north
C) east
D) south

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The west side of the Oregon Cascades will receive the highest levels of precipitation due to the orographic effect. As the prevailing westerly winds encounter the mountains, they are forced upwards, causing the air to cool and moisture to condense into precipitation. This phenomenon leads to higher precipitation on the windward side, which in this case is the west side of the mountains.

The Prevailing Winds in Oregon Are from the West