Why do chinooks occur

Winds similar to Chinook occur all over the world and are known by several local names. In central Asia, they are afganet; in the Andes of South America, these winds are called puelche; and in southern California, they are known as the Santa Ana winds. Chinook winds develop when warm, moist air blows from the Pacific Ocean in the northwest region of North America toward the Rocky Mountain range, according to Rocky Mountain National Park.

The air mass cools as it climbs the mountains, bringing rain or snow to the peaks. 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. When the winds suddenly change direction toward the west or southwest, the Chinook winds begin with rapidly increasing speeds. Chinook winds can be as much as 50 degrees Fahrenheit 10 decrees Celsius warmer than the air they displace, according to Indiana Public Media's Moment of Science.

Temperatures rise approximately 5. When the warm, dry, fast-moving Chinook winds pass over snow-covered areas, the snow often vaporizes before it has a chance to melt, according to the U.

Geological Survey. According to the Weather Doctor , the winds can easily vaporize a foot of snow within hours. Because of this, chinook winds are often known as the "snow eaters. The recorded temperature at a. When the winds died down, it took 27 minutes for the temperature to drop 58 degrees, back to where it was in the morning.

There are several legends about the origins of the Chinook winds. In one story, recorded by Ella E. Clark in Indian Legends of the Northern Rockies , Thunderbird punished the people who lived in her valley after a careless campfire destroyed all life there. She sent the cold Northeast Wind to drive the people from the valley. However, her daughters Crow, Magpie and Bluejay went with the people, and Thunderbird became lonely.

The weather in Alberta keeps you guessing. While most Albertans welcome the warm winds in sub-zero temperatures with open arms, some believe that the winds trigger migraine headaches also called Chinook headaches. However, some studies have debunked this myth by saying there is not sufficient evidence to determine that link. Next post ». Search for: Donate Now. Source: Weather Network 1 Legends celebrate — and warn of — the winds Those who have not the warm, invigorating Chinook winds of this country, cannot well comprehend what a blessing they are.

Stay up to date. Subscribe Now. Becker mentioned. Karine Kleinhardt Explainer. How do Chinooks work? Chinooks occur on the lee side of mountain ranges, which is opposite to the windward side. The dry air then moves downhill on the lee side of the mountain range. Sebastia Quillere Pundit. Where are Chinook Winds common? Elmehdi Bulai Pundit.

How long does a Chinook last? Chinooks can last hours or days and southern Alberta experiences approximately Chinooks per year. In , a record Chinook in Pincher Creek, Alberta drove the temperature up 41 degrees Celsius in one hour. Yeniffer Potschke Pundit. What are the 4 types of local winds? The main types of local winds are: Sea breezes and land breezes, Anabatic and katabatic winds , and Foehn winds. Mariola Dorobantu Pundit. Where are local winds located?

Local winds blow between high pressure and low pressure areas. Winds blow up and down slope, on and off land and sea, through deserts or over mountain passes.

Some local winds are well known in an area: haboobs in the desert, Santa Ana winds in Southern California, Chinook winds in Colorado. Baltazar Oianguren Pundit. How do local winds work? If there is a large temperature difference between the surface of the sea or a large lake and the land next to it, high and low pressure regions form. This creates local winds. Some warmer air from the ocean rises and then sinks on land, causing the temperature over the land to become warmer.

Nataniel Forti Teacher. Which wind is the warmest? A sudden change in wind direction is commonly observed with the passage of a warm front. Before the front arrives, winds ahead of the front in the cooler air mass are typically from the east, but once the front passes through, winds usually shift around to the south-southwest in the warmer air mass. What are hot dry winds called? Hot , dry winds have different names, depending upon their location.