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What is Katabatic wind and Anabatic wind mostly seen in mountainous regions

A katabatic wind is a cold, heavy wind that flows downhill from high mountains. An anabatic wind is a warm wind that moves uphill during the daytime.
Amith

🏔️ Katabatic Wind – Cold Wind Coming Down.

🔽 What is it?

A katabatic wind is a cold, heavy wind that flows downhill from high mountains or plateaus.

❄️ How is it formed?

  1. At night, mountain tops lose heat quickly (radiation cooling).

  2. The air becomes cold and dense.

  3. This cold, heavy air slides down the slopes into valleys due to gravity.

🧊 Features:

  • Happens mostly at night.

  • Cold and dry wind.

  • Can be very strong (like in Antarctica or Greenland).

🌍 Examples:

  • Mistral Wind in France

  • Bora Wind in Europe

  • Chinook (partially katabatic) in North America

🏞️ Anabatic Wind – Warm Wind Going Up

🔼 What is it?

An anabatic wind is a warm wind that moves uphill during the daytime.

🌞 How is it formed?

  1. During the day, sun heats the mountain slopes.

  2. Air near the slopes becomes warmer and lighter.

  3. This warm air rises up the slope.

🔥 Features:

  • Happens mostly in daytime.

  • Warm and moist wind.

  • Helps in forming clouds and rainfall on mountain tops.

🌍 Examples:

  • Common in Himalayas, Alps, and Rockies during summer days.

🧠 Easy Way to Remember:

Wind Type Direction Time Temperature Cause
Katabatic Down the slope Night Cold Cold air sinks
Anabatic Up the slope Daytime Warm Warm air rises due to sunlight

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