What is a “Chinook” wind and why does it bring warmer temperatures to Denver?
A “Chinook” or “downsloping” wind refers to a westerly wind that descends the leeward side of a mountain range. As Chinook winds force an air mass down the east slope of the Front RangeMountains, the air mass encounters stronger atmospheric pressure causing it to warm. This generally results in gusty winds causing warm, dry conditions for the Denver area. Chinook winds where named after the Chinookan Indians who lived in present day Oregon and Washington since the wind origination in the direction of their country. They occur all along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains from Alberta, Canada to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
