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Chinook winds in Summer

by Kathie
(Canada)

Chinook Country

Chinook Country

Can you have chinook winds in summer? My son in grade 4 had a test and his definition of a chinook was "A wind that blows that makes the weather warm"

He got it wrong because he didn't add "in winter".

Just curious, I think they only happen in the winter, please confirm and thanks.

Barry's Response - Kathie:

Hi. I am in Calgary, Chinook capital of the continent. So should I know all about these things? Well... not all, but here is my take on your question.

I would not use your son's answer to define a chinook, even with "in winter". It does, however describe it pretty well. Chinook winds vary depending on the time of year and other local weather patterns. And in general, Chinook winds can have a variety of effects on local ecosystems and communities, so it's important to be aware of the potential risks and take precautions when necessary.

Here's a bit of background.

Can chinooks and other fohn winds blow at any time of year? Chinook winds, also known as foehn winds, are warm and dry winds that blow off the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. They can happen any time of year, but they're most common in the winter and early spring.

Winter winds can affect the local climate a lot. Chinook winds can cause temperatures to rise quickly, sometimes by 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of hours. Snow can melt fast, causing flooding in some places.

In addition to affecting the temperature, chinook winds can also change humidity and air pressure. Clouds and precipitation can also form, and wind speed and direction can change.

The wind BlowsChinook Wind useful for energy

The effects of chinook winds can vary depending on the time of year and other local weather patterns. But they're generally associated with rapid temperature changes and can affect local communities and ecosystems.

Summer chinooks - Although Chinook winds are more commonly associated with winter and early spring, they can happen any time of year. Chinook Winds in Summer happen with less frequency and intensity compared to winter's events.

It's still possible for Chinook winds to affect the local climate during the summer, but their effects may

be different. By bringing in cooler air from higher elevations, they may help moderate temperatures during heat waves. They can also cause wildfires by drying out vegetation and making it easier to spread fires.Chinook winds: what's the big deal?

Depending on your location and situation, people may be concerned about Chinook winds for a variety of reasons. Here are some potential concerns:
- Chinook winds can cause temperatures to rise suddenly, which can be dangerous for people and animals who aren't used to sudden temperature changes. Heat-related illnesses or other health issues can sometimes result.
- Wildfire risk: Chinook winds can cause warm, dry conditions that can cause wildfires. Especially in dry or drought-prone areas, this can be a problem.
- Chinook winds can cause rapid snowmelt, which can cause flooding downstream. Particularly in areas with steep terrain or poor drainage, this can be a problem.
- Wind can damage buildings, power lines, and other infrastructure. Power outages, property damage, and other disruptions can result.

The main idea behind the chinook is that the wind coming down our side of the mountains is warmer than it was when it went up the other side in Vancouver or wherever.

How? The process of going up over the mountains causes the moisture to fall out of the clouds as rain or snow. That's why BC gets so much.

The heat that was in that moisture, and there is a lot of heat, is left behind to come down our side.

Does this happen in the summer? Sure. And it's warm then too. But one thing you've probably noticed if you've experienced chinooks is that it's usually cloudy. So in the summer you're trading a warm sunny day for a warm cloudy and windy one. And probably don't even notice that it's a chinook.

Furthermore, the strong wind in a chinook is one of its assets in winter. The winter chinook wind scours out the heavy cold arctic air that may have been sitting over the land previously, like a thick layer of dust. It takes a lot of wind to do that. So, when you have chinook winds in summer, it's just an annoying wind.


Hope this explains it without being too um... "long-winded."



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starstarstarstarstar 		chinook
by: Anonymous

I have heard that chinook means "snow eater.

From Barry: Seems appropriate. Thank you. According to several Indigenous cultures, the chinook wind is a warm wind that comes from the ocean and melts snow and ice. It is thought to be a sign that spring is coming.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Check your facts
by: Anonymous

Lethbridge is the chinook capital not Calgary.


From Barry - Thanks, A. I agree if you don't count nearby smaller places like Pincher Creek.

Lethbridge is closer to the Rocky Mountains, where chinook winds enter the Prairies. Additionally, it has fewer obstructions in its path, like hills and mountains, so the winds can move more freely and reach the city faster.

There's a few things happening here:
A combination of geographic and atmospheric factors cause wind to blow strongly in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada:

- Lethbridge is on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Open plains and valleys create channels for wind to flow through. The prevailing westerly winds can get accelerated and funneled through gaps or canyons when they hit the slopes of the Rockies.

- Lethbridge is known for its Chinook winds, which are warm, dry winds that blow in winter and early spring. The Chinooks are caused by air descending down the eastern slopes of the Rockies, compressing and heating as it goes down. As a result, the region has an overall windy climate with rapid temperature changes and gusty conditions.

- Having Lethbridge in the Canadian prairies exposes it to various weather systems, including low-pressure systems and frontal boundaries. Changes in atmospheric pressure can cause a pressure gradient that drives wind. Whenever a weather system moves through the area, it can bring gusty winds.

- Lethbridge's topography, with its open plains and relatively flat terrain, allows wind to flow more freely than areas with hills or dense vegetation. In this region, there aren't a lot of natural barriers, so winds can persist and get stronger.

Lethbridge is windy because of the local geography, Chinook winds, pressure systems, and topography. All of these elements contribute to strong and gusty winds in the area.

Now, What makes Ottawa so windy? That's a different story, completely.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Chinooks in Summer
by: Anonymous

I am not from western Canada but I can attest to Thursday, July 17th 1997 I think there must have been a Chinook Arch between Kamloops, AB and Whistler, BC because it was completely gray in Kamloops. Whistler was deep blue sky. The clearing was not gradual. It was a fine line in the sky dividing an all-blue sky and an all-gray sky. It was a non-moving boundary line.

Could that be typical of a Chinook arch in summer?

Barry's ResponseThanks, A. It can happen any time.

A chinook arch is a type of cloud formation typically seen in the Rocky Mountains. Unusual clouds form when warm moist air rises and collides with colder air, resulting in an arch-like cloud pattern.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Chinook Winds
by: Anonymous

I think that was very interesting. I never knew about Chinook winds in the summertime. I would like to research this more. I would find more information on the Chinook winds.

From Barry -

Chinook winds are warm, dry winds that blow in the Rocky Mountains. As the air is forced up the mountain slopes, it cools and then descends the downwind side, warming up again as it does. The end result is a faster wind.
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starstarstarstarstar 		very good
by: Anonymous

This is a great site. Thank you.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Nice Information
by: Anonymous

your article was very informative and interesting
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starstarstarstar 		Very informative
by: Anonymous

That was a very informative answer to a child's question - got me interested in a subject that I didn't know anything about previously.

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