It was raining on Mt Washington and Forbidden Plateau, but not at Goose Spit in Comox – this is a condition that is similar to but not the same as a rain shadow.
A rain shadow is a dry area on the leeward side of a mountainous area (away from the wind). As the prevailing winds carry air toward the mountains, the air rises up, cools, water vapor condenses, and clouds form. On this side of the mountains, called the windward side, precipitation falls.
