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Chapter 6: Problem 22

The arrangement of mountains and nearby valleys produces local wind patterns. Explain the day and night winds that might develop.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Mountain and valley winds are created due to distinct heating and cooling rates of mountain slopes and valleys. During the day, the sun heats the mountain slopes, leading to the creation of valley winds as the warm air rises and cool air from the valley moves up. At night, as the mountain slopes cool quickly, the high pressure at the top causes cooler air to descend and the warmer valley air to rise, creating a mountain wind or 'downslope' wind.

Step by step solution

01

Understand What Mountain and Valley Winds Are

Mountain and valley winds are local wind patterns created by the different heating and cooling rates of mountain slopes and valleys. During the day, the sun heats the air along the mountain slopes, making it less dense and causing it to rise, resulting in a valley wind. At night, the process is reversed, so there are mountain winds.
02

Detail the Day Winds - Valley Winds

During the day, the sun warms the mountain slopes causing the air to heat and rise. This results in a low-pressure area near the mountain top, and the cool air from the valley moves up the slopes to fill in, creating what is known as a valley wind.
03

Detail the Night Winds - Mountain Winds

At nighttime, the situation is reversed. The mountain slopes cool off more quickly than the air in the valley, creating an area of high pressure at the top of the mountain. This causes the warmer air from the valley to rise and the cool air from the peaks to descend, creating a mountain wind or downslope wind.

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