Friday, March 13, 2009

Dangerous of Wind

Although wind can be good to bring in new weather systems. It can also be very dangerous when those winds bring in damaging weather systems.










A hurricane is a powerful swirling storm that begins over a warm sea. The winds in this type of storm at its worst can reach speeds of 155 mph. Winds at this speed can cause catastrophic damage to anything in their way.








A sandstorm consist of strong dry wind blowing over the desert that raises and carries along clouds of sand or dust often so dense as to obscure the sun and reduce visibility almost to zero; also known as a duststorm.












The most dangerous winds come from the most dangerous storm. Tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.













Thursday, March 12, 2009

Wind Types in North America








CHINOOK

A strong, warm wind on the lee side of the Rocky Mountains. It can be a Southern or Western wind.The Chinook wind is named after an indian name meaning snoweater.






SANTA ANA
A Northern wind blowing in the valley of Santa Ana. The Santa Ana is the result of a high pressure system above high-desert areas.This wind creates great conditions for wildfires, and is strongest at night.















JET STREAM


The Jetstream is a band of fast moving air found at high altitudes. It is usually over mid-latitudes, but fluctuates to the north and south on a short time scale. Commercial airlines use this wind to speed up travel time.












NORTH POLAR


All of these winds are strong and are loaded with ice and snow. These winds blow harder than 35mph and cause visibility to reduce to 400 metres for at least 3 hours.


























DIABLO


This wind occurs below canyons in the East Bay Hills in the Diablo range .They can reach speeds of up to 60mph. They develop because pf a high pressure system above Nevada and a low pressure system above the cental Californian coast.









Definition of Wind

Air moving ,sometimes with considerable force, from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.