The following map shows the average monthly precipitation in the western United States. The areas in dark blue have very high amounts of precipitation and the areas in orange have very low amounts of precipitation. Image courtesy of USGS Why is there so much more precipitation near the coast than in other areas?
A. It is close to the ocean, and moisture from the air above the ocean moves eastward to the coast where the precipitation often occurs.
B. The water near the northwest does not produce enough moisture for winds to carry it to the rest of the area.
C. The water near the coast does not get heated enough to cause precipitation in the rest of the area.
D. The land and the water have different temperatures, so warm fronts and cold fronts constantly exist above the coast.