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| The digital elevation map (DEM) above shows how the Cascades block Yakima from maritime polar or maritime tropical air masses. |
Yakima, WA
is unique and quite different from the better known Seattle area. Yakima is in
the rain shadow of the Cascades and its virtually blocked off from the moist
cool air that the western half of the state receives.
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| The map above shows the general direction of the different air masses. |
Rarely, Yakima receives hot maritime tropical (mT) air in the summer and cold dry continental polar (cP) air in the winter moving in from the west.
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| This map shows the dry arid region of the Yakima Valley just east of Seattle and Portland. |
But the air masses must fight the topographic barrier of the Cascades
to reach the eastern side of the state. This battle causes them to lose a lot
of moisture along the way leaving Yakima an arid desert region. The mountain
range also protects the eastern side from mid latitude cyclones and the
moisture that comes with it.
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| Hills outside Yakima with winter frost |
In the winter, Yakima can receive dry continental polar (cP) air when it comes from the north or east. The Yakima valley experiences Chinook winds much like Denver does in the winter. After the continental tropical air mass releases its moisture in Seattle and along the Cascades it warms coming down the mountains creating warm strong winds for the eastern plains.
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| Beautiful vineyards of theYakima Valley |
In the summer, the area receives continental tropical (cT) that results in low relative humidity and high temperatures. Yakima Valley is known for its agriculture, producing apples and wine from large vineyards. The agriculture of the area would not be possible without runoff from the mountains and the mild humidity the area receives in the summer.
Yakima is quite unique for its latitude. Because of the mountains, the valley is much like Denver in its climate but much less percipitation. All of the topography and air masses discussed above is what makes Yakima so interesting to discover through geography.
Facts:
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