11. Orographic lifting and Bakersfield climate a. Relationship Questions:
1. What is meant by orographic lifting of air masses?
2. Watch the last slide of atmospheric presentation and
observe how an air mass originates in the Pacific
Ocean and moves across California from west to east.
a. Explain how air moving up the western side of
the Coast Range and Sierra Nevada Mountains
form clouds -- HINT: See your answers in the fill
in the blank paragraph.
b. How are rain shadows produced? Both in the
SJV and Mojave desert areas. HINT: adiabatic
warming on the eastern side of the mountain
ranges.
c. Why is the Bakersfield area considered a
semi-desert climate?