Hot Winds

Local winds, known as hot winds, result from the heating of the ground surface. These warm breezes tend to be relatively short-lived, lasting anywhere from a few hours to a day. Examples of these hot winds include Loo, Foehn, and Chinook, which are significant local wind phenomena.

Loo

During the months of May and June, the northern plains of India and Pakistan experience the scorching loo, characterized by hot and dry winds.
These winds sweep across the region in a west-to-east direction, primarily in the afternoons.
The temperatures they bring along range from a blistering 45 to 50 degrees Celsius.

Foehn

Foehn is a local wind that develops on the leeward side of the Alps mountain ranges and is strong, dusty, dry, and warm.
The air is forced to climb and cross the barrier due to the regional pressure gradient.
On the windward side of the mountains, rising air might cause precipitation.
After clearing the mountain crest, the Foehn winds begin to fall as a warm and dry wind on the mountain’s leeward side or northern slopes.
The temperature of the winds varies from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, which aids in the melting of snow.
As a result, the pasture area will be ready for animal grazing and grapes will ripen earlier.

Chinook

A warm, dry breeze known as the Chinook flowing down the eastern slopes of the Rockies in the United States and Canada.
The name “Chinook” has a fascinating literal meaning – “snow eater.” This special wind plays a crucial role in melting snow, keeping the grasslands free of snow cover.
Ranchers in the region cherish the Chinook, as it ensures their landscapes remain snow-free. This not only makes life easier for them but also contributes to the overall well-being of the grasslands.

Santa Ana

A hot, dry, powerful, blustery föhn-type wind that blows over southern California from the northeast or east and carries a lot of dust.

It is most common in the winter, but it can also happen in the spring or fall.
It could be named after the Santa Ana Mountains or the Santa Ana Canyon, although other suggestions include Santana, which means “devil winds,” or Satanás, which means “Satan.”
These winds have the potential to do a lot of harm.
They cause vegetation to dry out, increasing the likelihood of wildfires; and once fires have started, the winds fan the flames, hastening the spread of the fires. In the spring, Santa Ana winds may do a lot of damage to your home.

Sirocco

Originating in the vast Sahara Desert, the Sirocco is a powerful Mediterranean wind that races across North Africa and Southern Europe at speeds comparable to a hurricane.
This atmospheric phenomenon occurs when a warm, dry tropical air mass is pulled northward by low-pressure systems moving eastward over the Mediterranean Sea. The wind is typically channeled from the Arabian or Sahara deserts.
As this warm, dry air meets the cooler, wetter air of marine cyclones, a meteorological dance unfolds. The low-pressure system’s counterclockwise circulation blends these contrasting air masses, creating a unique weather pattern.
The impact of the Sirocco is diverse and significant. Along Africa’s northern coast, it brings about dusty and dry conditions. Over the Mediterranean Sea, storms brew, showcasing the dynamic clash between the warm continental air and the cooler marine air.
Finally, as the mixed air mass is propelled across Southern Europe, it ushers in chilly and rainy weather.

Harmattan

The Harmattan is like a warm, dry breeze that travels from the east to the west across the Sahara desert. As it journeys through the desert, it becomes super dry.
Imagine this wind picking up lots of red sands as it sweeps over the Sahara. It becomes like a carrier of these fine, red particles.
When these winds reach the western coast of Africa, the weather becomes hot and humid. Unfortunately, this combo of high temperature and humidity isn’t great for human comfort and health.
But when Harmattan arrives, there’s a sudden shift. The air becomes dry and pleasantly cool because the humidity drops drastically, thanks to the high temperature and dryness of Harmattan.
In the Guinea coastal region of western Africa, Harmattan is playfully called a “doctor.” Ironically, despite its dusty nature, people associate it with a refreshing change.
Harmattan isn’t just a gentle breeze; it can be quite strong, even uprooting trees. Dust storms often accompany these winds, leading to reduced visibility.
During the summer, Harmattan becomes more intense, making its presence even more noticeable.
In reality, Harmattan is a type of northeast trade wind, heated by the hot Sahara desert. Similar powerful, dusty winds have different names in various places, like ‘brick-fielder’ in Australia, ‘black-roller’ in the Great Plains of the United States, ‘shamal’ in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf, and ‘norwester’ in New Zealand.

Khamsin

A hot, dusty southerly wind blows over Egypt, the Red Sea, and the eastern Mediterranean Sea ahead of eastward-moving depressions.
It occurs from February to June, with March and April being the most common months.
The Khamsin is a Sirocco wind that gets its name from the Arabic word for ‘fifty,’ which is roughly how long the wind lasts.
When the Khamsin was blowing in Egypt in the nineteenth century, the plague was at its worst.

Significance

These winds contribute to ice shelf disintegration in the polar areas.
Its warmth increases the risk of avalanches in ski resorts, causes glacier melt, and floods downstream.

Conclusion

Hot Wind is a significant wind in climatology not only as a separate entity but also as a whole as it affects climatological parameters. Besides, their contribution to the environment is fairly high.

Read Also: Land and Sea Breezes