Placing Rain Shadow Deserts On Your Fantasy Maps
Why do some mountain ranges have a lush forest on one side and a desert on the other? In this Map Tip we’ll look at how a rain shadow desert can form so you can draw them on your own maps.
Air Rises
As warm, moist air is forced up and over the mountains, it begins to cool.
Rain Falls
Cool air cannot hold as much moisture, so it begins to rain as the air is forced over the mountains. With the increase of rain, a lush forest can form.
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Air Descends
As the air reaches the other side of the mountains, it begins to descend and warm. What little moisture remains begins to evaporate, resulting in a desert.
The Impact of Mountain Size
But, does this mean every mountain range will create a rain shadow? While every range will impact the weather and rainfall, not every mountain range will create a true rain shadow desert.
The mountains must be tall enough to affect the weather pattern, with prevailing winds consistently moving across them.
So, where should you place them on your map?
Weather Patterns
The key is to try and imagine how the weather patterns may flow across the landscape. Then determine where something like mountains will prevent water from reaching a location.
I hope you found this little Map Tip helpful in your journey to map your story. If you want to support Map Effects and help other map makers, be sure to share this with someone who will find it helpful and pin it to save for later!
Happy Mapping!
- Josh
