Question: Why does the west coast have a 'dry' heat?

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Phokus

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
22,994
779
126
I always keep hearing about california has a 'dry' heat, so it doesn't seem very hot, even though the temperature is high up. Here on the east coast, even high 70s can seem like hell with all the humidity. So my question is: Both the east coast and west coast are next to oceans, so why the hell does the west coast get a 'dry' heat?!!?
 
Demon-Xanth

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
I think it has to do with the ability to get moisture blown away. To the east. Where non-west coasters are.
 
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deftron

Lifer
Nov 17, 2000
10,868
1
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It's called the rain shadow effect

Moist air does come off the Pacific, but runs into the Sierra Nevadas
forcing it to rise..

when the air gets so high, moisture drops out of it (snow on the mountains)

On the other side of the mountains.. dry air


 
E

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
23,578
1
0
Originally posted by: deftron
It's called the rain shadow effect

Moist air does come off the Pacific, but runs into the Sierra Nevadas
forcing it to rise..

when the air gets so high, moisture drops out of it (snow on the mountains)

On the other side of the mountains.. dry air
Click to expand...

Well, yeah, if you want to get all technical about it... ;)

amish

 
Demon-Xanth

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
Unscientific response:
The lawyers sued the air and get 50% of it's water and the environmentalists put the other 50% in a nature preserve for water (bottle)
 
Phokus

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
22,994
779
126
Originally posted by: deftron
It's called the rain shadow effect

Moist air does come off the Pacific, but runs into the Sierra Nevadas
forcing it to rise..

when the air gets so high, moisture drops out of it (snow on the mountains)

On the other side of the mountains.. dry air
Click to expand...

Ah, ok thanks for the explanation.
 
D

deftron

Lifer
Nov 17, 2000
10,868
1
0
Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Originally posted by: deftron
It's called the rain shadow effect

Moist air does come off the Pacific, but runs into the Sierra Nevadas
forcing it to rise..

when the air gets so high, moisture drops out of it (snow on the mountains)

On the other side of the mountains.. dry air
Click to expand...

Well, yeah, if you want to get all technical about it... ;)

amish
Click to expand...

Simplified Pic :)





 
E

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
23,578
1
0
Originally posted by: deftron
Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Originally posted by: deftron
It's called the rain shadow effect

Moist air does come off the Pacific, but runs into the Sierra Nevadas
forcing it to rise..

when the air gets so high, moisture drops out of it (snow on the mountains)

On the other side of the mountains.. dry air
Click to expand...

Well, yeah, if you want to get all technical about it... ;)

amish
Click to expand...

Simplified Pic :)
Click to expand...

Woohoo!! Even better. :)

amish
 
Y

Ynog

Golden Member
Oct 9, 2002
1,782
1
0
It has to do with the Jet Streams. With the east coast it has to do with the Gulf Stream. It always contains alot of moisture.
So the air is always humid thus your hella hot days.

Why the jet stream on the West Coast doesn't have as much moisture I am not sure so I won't speculate.
 
S

shopbruin

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2000
5,817
0
0
the sierra nevadas are to the east of the state, and it's always been a "dry heat" in the areas i've lived.

now there are some mountains along the california coast which does help in it. the middle of the freaking state is always hot as heck though.
 
S

Shantanu

Banned
Feb 6, 2001
2,197
1
0
I would imagine in the coastal areas, it's comprable in humidity to coastal areas of the same latitude on the East coast.

The difference is, that if you get 15-20 miles inland in California, it's dry. Whereas, in the Eastern part of the country you can go several hundred miles inland to Kentucky or Tennessee and its still quite humid (at least during the summer).
 
J

jahawkin

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2000
1,355
0
0
The orographic rain shadow has alot to to with it but the west is also dry due to:
-Ocean temp. The eastern Pacific is usually around 40-60 degrees while the Gulf and western Atlantic are 70-80 deg. on average. More moisture can evaporate into the air over the Gulf and western Atlantic than over the eastern Pacific.
-Air flow. Much of the west coast has little onshore airflow due to high pressure that is usually off the coast of California while the midwest and east coast get plenty of onshore flow from the Bermuda high and nocturnal jet (for the great plains).
The midwest also gets very high dewpoints from evapotransporation from (mainly) corn. This can play a huge role in the humidity of the midwest during the growing season.
 
R

RossGr

Diamond Member
Jan 11, 2000
3,383
1
0
To bad it is not quite right.

You have explained why the air may be drier on the east side of the mountian ranges (Cascades or Sierras) but you have not explained why the WEST side of those mountian chains also have low humidity. You must remember that all of the Pacific Northwest has hot dry summers, but very wet winters.

I think it as more to do with the ocean temps, the East coast has the warm gulf stream, while the Pacific is in general much cooler. Also if you look at the globe in general you will find that the East coast is the more humid environment, perhaps it has to to with the direction of the earth rotation with respet to the large bodies of water.
 
E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: RossGr
To bad it is not quite right.

You have explained why the air may be drier on the east side of the mountian ranges (Cascades or Sierras) but you have not explained why the WEST side of those mountian chains also have low humidity. You must remember that all of the Pacific Northwest has hot dry summers, but very wet winters.

I think it as more to do with the ocean temps, the East coast has the warm gulf stream, while the Pacific is in general much cooler. Also if you look at the globe in general you will find that the East coast is the more humid environment, perhaps it has to to with the direction of the earth rotation with respet to the large bodies of water.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was going to say that explination doesen't really explain it at all.

It's the same here in Oregon. The Cascades create the effect noted above, and as a result.. much of eastern Oregon is dry and desert like. We still don't get the humidity on the west side, though.

Sucks to be you eastcoasters. ;)
 
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