How do mountain ranges create a rain shadow in the Chihuahuan Desert?

Mountain ranges create a rain shadow in the Chihuahuan Desert by acting as physical barriers to the movement of air masses. As moist air is forced to rise over these mountains, it cools and condenses, often resulting in precipitation on the windward slopes.12

By the time this air descends on the leeward side—where the Chihuahuan Desert is situated—it has lost much of its moisture. Furthermore, as this air descends, it warms, which increases its capacity to retain moisture and inhibits the formation of clouds and precipitation. Consequently, the nearby mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental, block incoming moisture, contributing to the arid conditions that characterize the region.23