Why are leeward sides of mountains often drier than windward sides?

The leeward side of a mountain is often drier than the windward side due to a phenomenon known as a rain shadow.12

This process occurs because mountains act as physical barriers that force air to rise as it encounters the windward slopes. As the air ascends, it undergoes adiabatic cooling, which causes the air to cool and its moisture to condense, resulting in significant orographic precipitation on the windward side.3456

By the time the air reaches the leeward side, it has lost much of its moisture. As this air descends the leeward slopes, it contracts and warms adiabatically. This warming increases the air's capacity to hold moisture, which causes the relative humidity to fall and significantly reduces the likelihood of precipitation. Consequently, the leeward side experiences a much drier climate compared to the windward side.534