Is Reno considered a desert? What makes it so dry? (agricultural, title)

[planemichael97]

Title^

[Nn2036]

Official, the climate is classified as steppe.
The Sierra Nevada blocks the moisture from the Pacific Ocean.

[nyctc7]

From Wikipedia:

Reno sits in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Annual rainfall averages 7.48 inches (190*mm). Despite this low amount of rainfall per year, Reno features a steppe climate.

Rain Shadow: A rain shadow is a dry area on the leeward side of a mountainous area (away from the wind). The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems and cast a "shadow" of dryness behind them. Wind and moist air is drawn by the prevailing winds towards the top of the mountains, where it condenses and precipitates before it crosses the top. The air, without much moisture left, advances behind the mountains creating a drier side called the "rain shadow".

Steppe Climate: A semi-arid climate or steppe climate is the climate of a region that receives precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not extremely. There are different kinds of semi-arid climates, depending on such variables as temperature, and they give rise to different classes of ecology. A more precise definition is given by the Köppen climate classification, which treats steppe climates (BSk and BSh) as intermediates between desert climates (BW) and humid climates in ecological characteristics and agricultural potential. Semi-arid climates tend to support short or scrubby vegetation, with semi-arid areas usually dominated by either grasses or shrubs.

[kttam186290]

It seems like the whole state of Nevada is practically a "steppe climate" doesn't it?

[MayMoveInFuture]

Thanks nyctc7, that was interesting