Understanding California's Climate

The video explains the geographical and climatic features of the California coast and the Sierra Nevadas. It describes how winds from the Pacific Ocean pick up moisture and cause precipitation on the windward side of the mountains. The leeward side, however, experiences a rain shadow effect, leading to dry conditions that extend into Nevada, forming the Great Basin and Mojave Desert.

What is the climate like on the leeward side of the Sierra Nevadas?

What term is used to describe the dry region on the leeward side of the mountains?