Sunday, January 7, 2007

Chinooks

The Colorado Front Range, from Wyoming to Colorado Springs, is under a high wind warning tonight. A new Pacific storm is pushing in from the northwest, forcing winds over the Continental Divide. The high passes are expecting wind speeds near 100 miles per hour and we should receive gusts as high as 50 in Denver. Snow will fall west of the Divide but the Metro area will be spared this round.

As this air descends along the east slope, it compresses and warms. Such Chinook winds, known as "snow eaters," bring a respite from the winter chill and usually melt more snow than the low January sun. Lows tonight will remain near freezing, 15 degrees warmer than last night, and highs tomorrow should reach the upper 40s. Maybe the driveway will open up.