The West 



CLIMATE 



The most noticeable feature of western climate is the 

 limited rainfall, which is fairly well indicated in the ac- 

 companying map (Fig. 2). It will be noted that with 

 the exception of those parts of Oregon and Washington 

 lying to the west of the Cascade Mountains, almost this 



Fig 



- Annual Rainfall of the United State,s. 



entire region has less than 20 inches of rainfall, while 

 some parts, as in southern Nevada and Arizona, have even 

 less than 10 inches. This dry climate, combined with 

 the high altitude, tends to make the summers rather cool, 

 particularly at night, although it may be quite warm in 

 the sun during the day. The winters in such states as 

 Arizona and New Mexico are very mild, while farther 

 north, as in Montana, they are severe. The extreme dry- 



