Front Range chinooks are comparable to Santa Ana winds in California. High pressure, west of the Continental Divide, and low pressure east of the mountains combine to produce strong, downsloping winds that heat up as they descend. These winds are especially strong in the canyons of the Front Range where they may cause damage and trigger wildfires.
During the winter months, chinooks are often responsible for the warm, sunny interludes that characterize this region. These "snow-eater" winds also rapidly melt snow along the urban corridor, facilitating the clearance of roads and driveways.
Yesterday's chinooks had no snow to remove from Metro Denver but pushed afternoon temperatures into the low 70s F. If this year is typical, we may need their magic right through April.
