METEOROLOGIST JEFF HABY
It is common to be able to pick up downsloping winds on the synoptic scale forecast models. A downsloping wind
occurs as air traverses a mountain chain. For the best downslope effect, the wind direction will be nearly
perpendicular to the mountain chain and the winds will be fairly strong. A strong downsloping wind will show
negative vertical velocities on the 700 millibar forecast prog. A region where downsloping winds are common
is over the lee of the mountain chains in New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. A west wind will result in a
downsloping wind on the lee side of these mountain chains in these states. Since elevation decreases when
moving east of these mountain chains in the high plains and Great Plains, the downsloping continues well
east of the mountain chain (i.e.
Chinook wind in the Dakotas). A downsloping wind promotes increasing temperatures,
a lower
relative humidity, and
stability.
|
|
|