Final answer:
The difference in average annual rainfall between Salt Lake City and New York City is due to Salt Lake City being inland and affected by the rain shadow effect, while New York City is near the ocean, receiving more moisture-laden air.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference in average annual rainfall between Salt Lake City, Utah, and New York City may largely be attributed to their respective geographic locations and related climate influences. Salt Lake City is inland and lies in a region that experiences a rain shadow effect due to the nearby Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains. This effect occurs when mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems and cast a "shadow" of dryness behind them. On the other hand, New York City is located on the East Coast near the Atlantic Ocean, thus it receives greater annual rainfall due to its proximity to moisture-laden air masses coming off the ocean.
Furthermore, additional information correlates geography with precipitation patterns. For example, the Hawaiian island of Kauai and New Zealand's towns demonstrate the rain shadow effect with leeward areas receiving significantly less rainfall than windward areas, which face the ocean and thus encounter moist winds first. Changes in global climate, leading to variability in rainfall patterns, are also influenced by factors such as atmospheric water vapor content, temperature, evaporation rates, and wind patterns. These elements collectively contribute to the observed differences in rainfall between various locations.