Factors Affect the
Temperature of Chinook Windstorms
qUpstream air temperature: Air upstream of the Rockies can be warm when it originates over the Pacific, or cold when it originates over western Canada and Alaska.
qLatent heat release: Latent heat is released when upstream air ascends on the windward side. Air descends on the lee side will be warmer than the air at the same altitude on the windward side.
qAdiabatic warming:
The temperature of air arriving on the plains is adiabitic warm during descend.
qAir descending to the base of the mountains can have relative
humidities lower than 10
percent.