The precipitation levels of the Sahara desert are influenced by a number of factors, including the location of the desert, the prevailing wind patterns, and the presence of mountains. The Sahara desert is located in the northern part of Africa, and it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and the Red Sea to the east. The prevailing wind patterns in the Sahara desert are the trade winds, which blow from the northeast. These winds carry moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea into the Sahara desert, but the moisture is often lost before it reaches the central part of the desert. The presence of mountains in the Sahara desert can also affect the precipitation levels. The Atlas Mountains, which run along the northern edge of the Sahara desert, block some of the moisture from the Mediterranean Sea from reaching the desert. The Tibesti Mountains, which are located in the central part of the Sahara desert, also block some of the moisture from the Atlantic Ocean from reaching the desert.
The precipitation levels of the Sahara desert are important because they affect the plant and animal life in the desert. The areas of the Sahara desert that receive more rainfall are home to a greater diversity of plants and animals than the areas that receive less rainfall. The precipitation levels of the Sahara desert are also important because they affect the human population. The areas of the Sahara desert that receive more rainfall are more densely populated than the areas that receive less rainfall.