Chinooks and such...

Well, I am experiencing a degree of blogger's block today, so I solicited one of the many Mikes of storm chasing for an idea to blog about. Yes, yes, I know there are 90 wildfires in Florida that I could blog about (and I will...). Yes, yes, I know that there is a slight risk for severe weather just 100 miles to my north that I cannot chase because I have a meeting in a short while (and I'll get to that...), but why would I discuss all that when I can ask the age old question...

What's the name of a North American wind that's also known as a "Snow-eater"?

I know you've been wondering, so here I am with the answer... CHINOOKS.

Chinook winds, often just called chinooks, is now normally a reference to Föhn winds[1] in the interior West of North America, where the Canadian Prairies and Great Plains meet various mountain ranges, although the original usage is in reference to wet, warm coastal winds in the Pacific Northwest. Chinook winds are so named because they come from the country of the Chinook Native Americans: the lower Columbia River, west of the Rocky Mountains. The term originated in the local argot of the fur trade, which spread it to the prairies.

A popular (but entirely false) myth is that Chinook means "snow eater", as a strong Chinook can make snow one foot deep almost vanish in one day. The snow partly melts and partly evaporates in the dry wind. ~source

Now, you know. Thanks, Mike.

Onto current weather... as I mentioned, there is a slight risk for severe weather... not here, but up to my north and into Mikey's neck of the woods. Mikey will be testing out his live stream, so I am anxious to see how that works out. It's actually anticipated as a quite active next several days... just not here. I will keep an eye out on Mikey's doings and shift my focus westward for the remainder of the week. Should be an interesting weather week. Stay tuned.

Onto fires... Red flag warnings abound all over Florida as the extremely dry conditions meet higher winds and elevate the chance of wildfires growing and quickly spreading. There are currently 71 official fires in Florida with 43,181.8 acres ablaze. Here is the official report from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (weird combo), Division of Forestry. Always something...

Have a great day!
~Dewdrop