Re: Winds and temperature

[Brian Whatcott <betwys1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>]

I have a real answer, but not sure it's your real answer....

For places located downslope - in a valley for instance, the katabatic
wind moves cold air downslope. Higher is inevitably cooler.

A wind can disperse the downflow of cooler air.

Brian W

At 02:16 PM 2/16/2004, you wrote:
> I hear frequently on weather reports comments along the lines of "little
> wind tonight so expect temperatures to drop".  I haven't managed to
> convince myself of the reason for this, so I asked around - some I have
> heard:
>
> 1)  It's geographic.  Our winds are warmer than our existing air (unlikely)
>
> 2)  Air can radiate energy outward more efficiently when it isn't moving
> (just doesn't make sense)
>
> 3)  Cold air sinks and without winds to remix it, the air near the ground
> gets colder.
> (Does that mean that the air aloft is warmer on still nights than on windy
> nights?)
>
> 4)  It's an energy consideration; the pressure gradient does work on the
> air and that raises its temperature (hmm ...)
>
> 5)  It's an energy consideration; frictional effects of air resistance lead
> to increased temperatures.
> (But this shouldn't apply in flat undeveloped areas where frictional
> effects are much lower)
>
> 6)  It's not real.  Still nights are often cloudless and it's the lack of
> clouds that causes the temperature drop.
> (This seems reasonable, but then why the emphasis placed on winds?)
>
> Anyone out there got the correct answer?


Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!