lowlander Posted January 15, 2003 Share Posted January 15, 2003 Just in case anyone wanted to know why ........ Chinook Winds: Indian for snow eater, a chinook wind comes from over the Rocky Mountains and sweeps across the foothills and other parts of Alberta. The warming effect can reach as far as Edmonton in central Alberta and can reach Swift Current in Saskatchewan. But the strongest effect from the Chinook is felt is southern Alberta. In Crowsnest Pass, where the Chinook effects are the greatest, they average 30 Chinook days per year. At the foothills, Calgary averages 25 days. And in Medicine Hat, near the Alberta border, they average 20 days. The Alberta Chinook The Alberta Chinook is part of a class of winds called foehn winds. As the warm, dry, gusty wind descends down the mountain slopes, temperatures can increase many degrees in minutes. The temperature usually goes well above 0°C (30°F) and snow melts while spirits soar. The view as a Chinook rolls over the Foothills is unique. An arch of wispy, white clouds appear in the western sky paralleling the the Rocky Mountains. The clouds look like ghost-like fingers dancing across the sky. As the Chinook affects increase, winds begin to gust from the Southwest or West. The winds reach speeds typically between 40 and 80 kilometers per hour (25 and 50 miles per hour). They are capable of reaching tree bending and breaking speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour (100 mile per hour). The Making of a Chinook The process of making a Chinook wind starts not in the Rocky Mountains but in the Pacific Ocean. Over the Pacific Ocean a westerly winds begins blowing and collects the warm, moist air toward the west coast of British Colombia. As the moisture-laden air reaches the coast,the air encounters the first set of mountains before reaching the Rocky Mountains on the western Alberta border. As the warm, moist Pacific air meets the Coastal Mountains range it begins an upward ascent over the western slope of mountains. As it climbs the mountain the air begins to expand and cool. Some of the moisture in the air condenses and falls to the ground as rain or snow. As the precipitation falls great amounts of stored heat is released. The air that descends down the eastern slope of the mountain is drier and warmer, warming at a rate that is twice the cooling rate. As the air moves eastward, it encounters a second set of mountains in B.C.'s interior. This process repeats a second time at this mountain range. So more water has been rung from the Pacific air,resulting in still warmer weather that is approaching Alberta. As the air approaches the Rocky Mountains, the process begins a third time. The compression of the air by the mountains raises the temperature by 8°C to 10°C over the Pacific air that started out over the ocean, at the same elevation on the west side of the Coastal Mountains. The Chinook wind is a welcome winter rest from the regular winter weather. Residents dig deep into their closets and haul out their spring and fall garments. For a few days they enjoy the warm, sunny weather before encountering winter again. thank you!! ------------------ Quote Link to comment
lowlander Posted January 15, 2003 Author Share Posted January 15, 2003 You are most welcome....but "YOU" already knew all that, sis!! After all we do live in the MOST climatially perfect place!! ------------------ Quote Link to comment
Goose Liver Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 Hmmmmmm better than BC? I don't know about that ....... it's a little cold in your part of town for me... teehee ------------------ Quote Link to comment
lowlander Posted January 18, 2003 Author Share Posted January 18, 2003 Tee, Hee, on you Brigie.... ....okay so you don't have such a variance of weather. Yes, maybe I too, at one time, if I could have afforded it, moved to your part of the province. But I'll make do here. Love ya Sis in law!! ------------------ Quote Link to comment
Goose Liver Posted January 18, 2003 Share Posted January 18, 2003 Hey hey spot a roo....nice to see you.... I moved here from Quebec years ago...so I did see the cold weather. I'm glad you like it where you are. How is you new house? Everything working out okay??? Love your sis in law ------------------ Quote Link to comment
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