Why is West Coast dry?

The West coast has low humidity because of the cold northern current running just offshore. The warmish air from the interior of the Pacific Ocean flows eastward over the narrow strip of cold water flowing south along the west coast, cooling the air and precipitating the excess moisture out in the form of fog.

Is Latin America dry?

In general, Central America has a distinct wet and dry season. Temperatures are relatively similar year round, but rainfall varies considerably from nearly none at all to 12 inches or more in a single month.

Why is the climate arid on the western coast of South America?

Cause and origin The northern portion of the Arid Diagonal is a result of the blocking of the trade winds by the barrier formed by the Central Andes and the South Pacific High. To the south in the westerlies, the rain shadow that the Southern Andes casts over eastern Patagonia similarly blocks moisture.

What climate covers the largest portion of Latin America?

TROPICAL WET The climate in these areas is hot and rainy year round. The largest forest is the Amazon rain forest, which covers more than two million square miles of South America. Much of this rain forest is located in Brazil. Rain forests contain many exotic plants and creatures.

Which continent has least rainfall?

Australia
Australia, with the lowest rainfall, discharges the least in consequence. Antarctica is an exception: it is very dry, and very little snow sublimates….Water balance of the continents.

region	Antarctica
precipitation: mm/a	110
discharge mm/a	100
ratio: percent	94
evaporation mm/a	10

Why does it rain so much in South America?

The ITCZ is responsible for the seasonal character of precipitation in South America’s extensive tropical wet-dry climatic zone. The trade winds of both hemispheres converge between the subtropical anticyclones of the Northern and Southern hemispheres in that low-pressure region.

Where is the driest place on Earth?

The Atacama
The Atacama is the driest place on earth, other than the poles. It receives less than 1 mm of precipitation each year, and some areas haven’t seen a drop of rain in more than 500 years. Forget “photo-worthy” or “memorable.” The landscapes here inspired Salvador Dalí paintings.

Why is South America so wet?

Where in the world does it not rain?

The driest place on Earth is in Antarctica in an area called the Dry Valleys, which have seen no rain for nearly 2 million years. There is absolutely no precipitation in this region and it makes up a 4800 square kilometer region of almost no water, ice or snow.

What continent is the hottest?

Africa: The Hottest Continent On Earth. As the world’s second-largest continent, situated between 37° north and 34° south, Africa’s seasons and impressive temperature changes make it the hottest continent on Earth.

Why does the West Coast of South America have low precipitation?

The eastern part of the South Pacific anticyclone influences the climate of most of South America’s west coast, causing stable, subsiding air conditions that yield minimal precipitation. The ITCZ is responsible for the seasonal character of precipitation in South America’s extensive tropical wet-dry climatic zone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19BzHpFcTgk