Chinook winds are a unique type of moving air that occurs during the months of cold winter on the Eastern parts of the Rocky Mountains. It is characterized by strong, warm, and dry air that mostly moves from high ridges to plane land. Chinook winds are also known to cause rapid temperature changes (Ngan & Toth, 2011) . This type of wind derives its name from the Chinook people, one of the native tribes in North America, especially in Canada. Other similar winds occur in other parts of the world getting to be known by local names.
Fig 1: Chinook winds. Courtesy of WeatherOps. https://blog.weatherops.com/chinook-a-fun-word-to-say-but-do-you-know-what-it-is
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Formation
Chinook winds are formed as a result of the movement of warm and moist air from the Pacific Ocean near the northwestern part of North America towards the Rocky Mountain. The temperature of the wind drops as it moves up the mountain forming snow or rain at the top. The air later becomes dry after releasing moisture and start moving downwards towards the eastern part of the mountain while it gains temperature. The warming and change of direction make the winds increase the speed and their temperature becomes ten times that of the displaced air. They also vaporize the snow in areas they pass thus being referred to as ‘snow eater’.
Effects of Chinook Winds on Human Health
Chinook winds have several effects on human life, especially on their health. First, many studies carried out on people living in areas where chinook winds pass showed a strong relationship between it and the increase in the number of migraine cases. The ailment was more prevalent during cold winters when this wind was high than in other seasons (Cooke, Rose, & Becker, 2000) . However, this notion has been contested by some scientists claiming that there is little correlation between the winds and the rise in the number of the ailment cases. Secondly, many people living in areas where chinook winds are prevalent have complained of having experienced stroke during the cold winter season. The sudden change of the wind’s direction and temperature led to physiological and behavioural factors that led to the rise in cases of this condition. However, not all scientists agreed to this notion with some claiming that chinook winds had little to do with the rise in stroke cases. Lastly, areas such as coastal New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S saw a surge in the number of sudden infant death syndrome. The climatic conditions brought about by chinook winds are thought to contribute greatly to this ailment.
Impact on Aviation
Chinook winds greatly affect the normal operation of the aviation industry. Airports that a situated in places where chinook winds occur have reported fluctuating temperatures affecting landing and take offs. The unexpected change in weather conditions means that airport operators have to make prior changes before any plane could leave the ground. They must also make a prior measurement of the temperature outside the airport to determine the approach attitudes. Another effect on aviation is the freezing of surface which can result in friction affecting the braking of airplanes.
Environmental Effects of Chinook Winds
There is evidence of a battle between arctic air mass and chinook winds. This condition causes temperature variation with some regions experiencing up to -20 degrees Celsius while others enjoy 10 degrees Celsius. Such collision can lead to a region exhibiting different weather conditions like a warm morning and later a very cold evening (Macdonald, Essery, & Pomeroy, 2012) . Unexpected fog may also occur during this time as the eastern and western winds collide. This makes it hard for geologists to predict the climate of the place. The second environmental effect of chinook winds is in cloud formation referred to as chinook clouds or cloud wall.
References
Cooke, L. J., Rose, M. S., & Becker, W. J. (2000). Chinook winds and migraine headache. Neurology . https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.54.2.302
Macdonald, M. K., Essery, R. L. H., & Pomeroy, J. W. (2012). Effects of Chinook winds ( foehn ) on snow cover in western Canada. Geophysical Research Abstracts EGU2012-13690 .
Ngan, S., & Toth, C. (2011). The Influence of Chinook Winds and Other Weather Patterns upon Neuropathic Pain. Pain Medicine . https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01227.x
