Why are Chinook winds warm?

Asked by: Billy Fats

Rapid rise The air mass, now dry after releasing its moisture in the mountains, warms as it moves down the eastern side of the mountains. The air mass warms rapidly, eventually becoming warmer and drier than the original air mass coming from over the Pacific Ocean.

Is Chinook A warm wind?

chinook, warm, dry wind descending the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, primarily in winter. Winds of the same kind occur in other parts of the world and are known generally as foehns (q.v.).

How does a Chinook wind affect temperature?

Chinook winds have been observed to raise winter temperature, often from below −20 °C (−4°F) to as high as 10–20°C (50–68°F) for a few hours or days, then temperatures plummet to their base levels.

What are the advantages of Chinook Winds?

Chinook winds can produce a remarkable temperature increase and relative humidity decrease. This is a reason Chinooks that occur over snowy terrains are known as “snow eaters”. The warm and dry air promotes rapid melting and evaporation of the snow on the ground.

Are Chinook winds strong?

A broad band of stationary stratus clouds extending hundreds of kilometres north to south and paralleling the mountains often appears during a Chinook and is known as a “Chinook Arch”. What is a chinook? It’s a strong wind that becomes warm and very dry while rapidly descending the lee side of mountain slopes.

Why is a Chinook both warm and dry?

The air mass, now dry after releasing its moisture in the mountains, warms as it moves down the eastern side of the mountains. The air mass warms rapidly, eventually becoming warmer and drier than the original air mass coming from over the Pacific Ocean.

What does warm wind mean?

Any wind characterized by intense heat and low relative humidity. noun.

Do Chinooks happen in summer?

When chinooks happen. Calgarians can feel chinooks as summer transitions to fall, although they are more common, and noticeable, in the depth of winter and during the transition to spring.

Why is it called Chinook?

The Chinook is named after the Chinook Indians who lived along the Columbia River, and who were the first people to tell stories of “The Great South Wind”, or, in their language, the “Snow Eater”.

Is a Chinook high or low pressure?

Lower barometric pressure, such as may occur in Chinooks, and higher mean ambient temperature have been associated with increased risk in presenting to the emergency department with migraine in Boston, Massa- chusetts [21].

Are Chinooks only in Alberta?

While Chinooks can occur on the downward slope of any mountain in the world, including areas in Argentina and the Swiss Alps, in Canada they are most common in southern Alberta.

How do Chinooks work?

Chinooks occur on the lee side of mountain ranges, which is opposite to the windward side. Global Calgary meteorologist Jordan Witzel said moist air drives up against mountain ranges. Once it rains or snows, the air is “emptied” of that moisture, and is then a drier air mass.

How fast is Chinook wind?

A 40- to 50-mph wind over the ridges and passes may reach speeds of 80 to 100 mph by the time the air reaches the foothills and High Plains.

Why do Chinooks cause headaches?

The science behind those warm winter winds and beautiful skyscapes. Much of this has to do with chinooks. Orr says when weather alters quickly there are big changes in temperature and pressure systems which “can impact the occurrence of headache in people who are predisposed.”

What does Chinook feel like?

Chinooks are warm, dry, and typically powerful winds that flow eastward from the Canadian Rockies onto the prairies. A Chinook arch cloud formation is a welcome winter sight. Pushing typical cold winter air masses away, the chinook weather allows for temperatures to occasionally increase dramatically.