Question

Analyze the map of Average Annual Precipitation in Oklahoma. What does the map suggest about precipitation in the state?

A) Most of the state is very arid.
B) Northern parts receive more rain than southern parts.
C) Eastern parts receive more rain than western parts.
D) Most of the state receives over 40 inches of precipitation.

Answer 1

The eastern parts of Oklahoma receive more rain than the western parts due to the rain shadow effect across the United States with arid conditions prevalent to the west of mountain ranges.

Step-by-step explanation:

When analyzing the map of Average Annual Precipitation in Oklahoma, it suggests that the eastern parts of Oklahoma receive more rain than the western parts. This is consistent with general patterns across the United States, where areas west of mountain ranges experience a rain shadow effect, leading to arid and semi-arid lands due to the drying of air masses that have shed moisture on the windward side of the range. Consequently, option C 'Eastern parts receive more rain than western parts' is the correct interpretation of the precipitation patterns in Oklahoma based on such a map.