Final answer:
A dry area that forms behind a highland capturing rain and snow is known as a rainshadow. This geographic effect leads to arid conditions on the leeward side of mountains as moist air is stripped of its moisture on the windward side, creating deserts or semi-arid regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dry area that forms behind a highland capturing rain and snow is known as a rainshadow. This phenomenon occurs as moist air ascends a mountain range, cools, and releases precipitation on the windward side. As the air descends on the leeward side, it warms up and becomes drier, leading to arid conditions and often the formation of deserts. This is evident in the precipitation shadow effect seen around the world, including in places like the southwest of Puerto Rico and western China, where the Himalayas create a significant rain shadow effect, leading to a type B climate in the region.
For example, the Great Rift Valley is impacted by the highlands of Ethiopia, which limit rainfall to its east, creating a savanna landscape instead of a tropical rain forest. The same is true for the North American deserts, such as the Mojave and Sonoran, where the rain shadow effect of nearby mountains results in desert conditions.