Föhn wind

A föhn wind or foehn wind occurs when a deep layer of prevailing wind is forced over a mountain range. As the wind moves upslope, it expands and cools, causing water vapor to precipitate out. This dehydrated air then passes over the crest and begins to move downslope. As the wind descends to lower levels on the leeward side of the mountains, the air heats as it comes under greater atmospheric pressure creating strong, gusty, warm and dry winds. Föhn winds can raise temperatures as much as 30°C (50°F) in just a matter of hours. Winds of this type are called "snow-eaters" for their ability to make snow melt rapidly. This ability is based on not only the high temperature, but also the low relative humidity of the air mass.

The name "föhn" (from the German Föhn, roughly pronounced "fern") originated in the Alps, and central Europe enjoys a warmer climate due to them. Interestingly, Föhn is also the German word for "hair dryer." Regionally, these winds are known by many different names. These include:

• "Zonda winds" in Argentina
• "Chinook winds" in the Rocky Mountains, United States/Canada and the Chugach Mountains of Alaska, United States
• "Diablo winds" in the San Francisco Bay Area, United States
• "Santa Ana winds" in Southern California, United States
• "Sharav" or "Hamsin" in Israel
• "Hamsin" in the Arabian Middle East
• "The Nor'wester" in southern New Zealand
• "Halny" in the Carpathians

See also

• Katabatic wind

External links

• Illustration