Main      Site Guide    
Message Forum
Re: Fun with Chinooks
Posted By: Kaz!, on host 142.59.134.127
Date: Monday, November 20, 2000, at 21:48:13
In Reply To: Re: Alberta Clipper posted by Howard on Monday, November 20, 2000, at 18:40:37:

> Unfortunately, we don't have much warm air in Tennessee right now. I think the temperature is about freezing out there, at 9:30 pm, but they are talking about 18 degrees F tomorrow morning. And it ain't even winter yet!

Yes, but this is during the Alberta Clipper, correct? The forcast says that we get a low of -9*C (15*F) tonight, so you're air is still warmer then ours! And...yeah...it's not even winter!

> Chinook winds? I believe that is Ojibway for "snow eater." I think of them as occurring mostly in the spring. If I remember my science text correctly, they are the result of compressional heating as the cool air flows down the mountain, on the lee side.
> Howard

Yep, that sounds pretty much correct. I can't verify that it was an Ojibway word, but I'll take your word on it because I know it's some Indian word that means "snow eater". In Edmonton, we get the occasional Chinook from the Rockies in the winter months (although it's true that they come more often in the spring) and, for about a day, the temperature can change from around -30*C (-22*F) to around 0*C (32*F). They're espessially handy after a snowstorm, because then we don't have to shovel! (The snow will melt even in a freezing air temperature if enough sunlight gets on it). Of course, it can get annoying if all the snow just turns to slush and then solidifies into ice come nightfall, but then I guess you could skate to work! (And watch the poor little car as it almost-but-not-quite makes the turn....)

-Ka"After a while, you get used to the cold"z!

Replies To This Message