Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Total difference doesn't matter so much as the gradient. If the Maui map is accurate there may actually be a gradient of 10000mm to 200mm or so over about 10km in west Maui. That's about 1000mm per km!
The New Zealand ones are pretty impressive too.
I should add that although the total difference doesn't matter so much the absolute value of the dry location does. Those places in Maui are deserts within spitting distance of rainforests; they are almost completely protected from rain by the shadow effect. OTOH, if the "dry" location still gets 1500mm of rain then the shadow effect isn't really that pronounced.
It's likely there is a small zone parallel to the divide with around 15000-16000mm, and from there to the base of Pukaki at about 600mm could be as little as 60km.
Yep, that is certainly impressive -I'm just trying to find a link to an article about new rain recorders being set up in the Alps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed's Mountain
Total difference doesn't matter so much as the gradient. If the Maui map is accurate there may actually be a gradient of 10000mm to 200mm or so over about 10km in west Maui. That's about 1000mm per km!
The New Zealand ones are pretty impressive too.
Yep, I guess gradient is ultimately the measure of rain shadow. One point about NZ, is that the rainfall of the drier areas is still prone to rainfall from other directions, so it might be difficult to get an accurate measure of the effect.
I should add that although the total difference doesn't matter so much the absolute value of the dry location does. Those places in Maui are deserts within spitting distance of rainforests; they are almost completely protected from rain by the shadow effect. OTOH, if the "dry" location still gets 1500mm of rain then the shadow effect isn't really that pronounced.
The driest area is about 60km SE of Glenorchy, with about 350mm of rain, although this total includes rain from other directions.
Yep, that is certainly impressive -I'm just trying to find a link to an article about new rain recorders being set up in the Alps.
Yep, I guess gradient is ultimately the measure of rain shadow. One point about NZ, is that the rainfall of the drier areas is still prone to rainfall from other directions, so it might be difficult to get an accurate measure of the effect.
Not sure if this applies to Hawaii, or not.
See my other post. The strength of the shadow is a function of the prevailing wind. In Hawaii constant trade winds produce deserts on the leeward side; such places never escape the shadow. In New Zealand I guess the wind direction is less consistent, hence some days places are in the shadow whereas some days they're not.
I am impressed that coastal NZ has such mild winter record lows. Wellington is at a higher latitude than NYC yet has a warmer record low than pretty much everywhere in the USA except the Florida Keys, Lowland Hawaii and the Tropical US territories. It is really impressive!
I am impressed that coastal NZ has such mild winter record lows. Wellington is at a higher latitude than NYC yet has a warmer record low than pretty much everywhere in the USA except the Florida Keys, Lowland Hawaii and the Tropical US territories. It is really impressive!
And those lows are very old. The city site at 126m ASL hasn't dropped to 0C since July 1965.
NZ seems a great place, especially South Island, which I think was the main filming location for Lord of the Rings. Although I am surprised that North Island doesn't have any Mediterranean climates, I always assumed that it did. Still nice, none the less.
NZ seems a great place, especially South Island, which I think was the main filming location for Lord of the Rings. Although I am surprised that North Island doesn't have any Mediterranean climates, I always assumed that it did. Still nice, none the less.
Subtropical lows are a feature that Mediterranean climates don't generally get, unlike NZ.
OK, so I know this isn't accurate at all, but how would a map for New Zealand be like, and how would a more accurate map for Australia be like?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
