The Hawaiian Islands are located in the tropical Pacific Ocean of the Northern Hemisphere.  The larger islands have tall mountains in their interior.  Each of the larger islands have a “rainy” (rain forest-like) side of the island and a “dry” (desert-like) side of the island. The trade winds, which blow steadily most days of the year, move across the tropical north Pacific Ocean from northeast toward southwest. These surface winds, which carry warm, humid, tropical air combined with the mountains result in the distinct climate zones found on each island as described above.  Explain why there is a rainy side and a dry side to each island.  In your answer be sure to specify which side of the islands is rainy and which side is dry. Hint. Air moves along the ocean surface, then continues over the island. When the air hits a mountain it is forced to rise vertically upward on the windward side of the mountain. After the air passes the top of the mountain, it is forced to sink vertically downward on the leeward side of the mountain.

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
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The Hawaiian Islands are located in the tropical Pacific Ocean of the Northern Hemisphere.  The larger islands have tall mountains in their interior.  Each of the larger islands have a “rainy” (rain forest-like) side of the island and a “dry” (desert-like) side of the island. The trade winds, which blow steadily most days of the year, move across the tropical north Pacific Ocean from northeast toward southwest. These surface winds, which carry warm, humid, tropical air combined with the mountains result in the distinct climate zones found on each island as described above.  Explain why there is a rainy side and a dry side to each island.  In your answer be sure to specify which side of the islands is rainy and which side is dry. Hint. Air moves along the ocean surface, then continues over the island. When the air hits a mountain it is forced to rise vertically upward on the windward side of the mountain. After the air passes the top of the mountain, it is forced to sink vertically downward on the leeward side of the mountain.

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