Why is South Island's west coast called the "Wet Coast"?
A. Its terrain consists mostly of rainforest
B. Weather systems crossing the Pacific from South America hit this cast first
C. The roaring forties bring strong west winds from the Indian Ocean
D. It sits in a climatic convergence zone
A. Its terrain consists mostly of rainforest
The west coast of South Island experiences high levels of precipitation due to its proximity to the Tasman Sea and the prevailing westerly winds. This results in a very wet climate, earning it the nickname "Wet Coast."