The Great Basin and Columbia Plateau (the Intermontane Plateaus) are arid or semiarid regions that lie in the rain shadow of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada. Precipitation averages less than 15 inches (38 cm). The Southwest is a hot desert, with temperatures exceeding 100 °F (37.8 °C) for several weeks at a time in summer. The Southwest and the Great Basin are also affected by the monsoon from the Gulf of California from July to September, which brings localized but often severe thunderstorms to the region. COUNT 5
QSN1 Which areas have arid regions? ANS1 The Great Basin and Columbia Plateau QSN2 What is the precipitation average in the Intermontane plateaus? ANS2 15 inches QSN3 In the southwest, how high do temperatures get? ANS3 100 °F (37.8 °C) QSN4 During which months are portions of the US affected by the monsoon from the Gulf of California? ANS4 July to September QSN5 What type of weather do monsoons bring? ANS5 severe thunderstorms