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Arid Wupatki grasslands, Wupatki National Monument, 2016.

Why does Wupatki receive so little snow and rainfall, unlike much of the surrounding land? If you look closely at this photo, you will see clouds gathering around Flagstaff's volcanic field in the distance. This is where the clouds drop most of their precipitation, on the western flanks of the mountains. As such, the eastern slopes receive only leftover rainfall. However, the clouds are often depleted by the time they arrive to the eastern plains, creating the arid Wupatki landcape. This meteorological phenomenon is called a rain shadow.

U.S. National Park Service

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Wupatki National Monument, Code: WUPA

National Park Service Facebook Photos

Title: Wupatki National Monument
URL: https://www.facebook.com/WupatkiNPS/?fref=ts

20160106

01/06/2016

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Organization: Wupatki National Monument
Address: 6400 US 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Thursday, December 8, 2016 6:29:53 PM

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