Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: WION
Context: A surprising phenomenon has been observed in the Himalayas, where ‘katabatic’ winds are triggered when high temperatures affect high-altitude ice masses.
- This leads to cold air blowing to lower-altitude areas, potentially slowing down the effects of the global climate crisis in some regions.
- The study reveals that a temperature gap between air above the mountains and cooler air in contact with ice masses causes increased turbulent heat exchange, leading to stronger cooling of the surface air mass.
Anabatic Winds – These Winds are upslope winds driven by warmer surface temperatures on a mountain slope than the surrounding air column.
Katabatic Winds – Katabatic winds are downslope winds created when the mountain surface is colder than the surrounding air and create a downslope wind.
