Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board

Re: Different water, too

Posted By: John K
Date: Wednesday, 13 August 2003, at 6:46 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Different water, too (Pamela)

: Hi Bert,

: A katabatic wind is one which is funnelled between mountains and as a result,
: is much faster than most of the wind in the area. It's especially
: noticeable when you're paddling parallel to the shore and a katabatic wind
: sweeps down a valley and suddenly blows you sideways. (In Toronto, we also
: get katabatic wind between the skyscrapers at the foot of Bay Street --
: although some claim this is really hot air from the downtown banks and
: brokerage houses.)

: Having experienced mild katabatic winds (sometimes called williwaws) earlier
: in the summer at Cooperstown, I had a mantra for the Yukon,
: "Mountains funnel winds," whichI must have repeated to myself a
: gazillion times a day. In fact, it was a katabatic wind that stranded me
: on little island on the long narrow glacial lake between some very large
: mountains.

: Pamela

Hi Bert and Pamela, just a slight correction of Pamela's definition: katabatic comes from two Greek words meaning going (Batic) and down (Kata). These winds arise because cold air descends, opposite to hot air rises. Yes they are funneled by valleys and can be very sudden, but they are cold winds and arise (descend) :-)) because they are cold. I add this so that you can be more able to predict when you will come into an area where such winds are likely to artise (descend), e.g. mountainous areas. Hope it helps anyway.
John K

Messages In This Thread

Inadvertent Rescue Practice
Robert N Pruden -- Saturday, 9 August 2003, at 2:34 a.m.

Re: Inadvertent Practice
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- Saturday, 9 August 2003, at 12:01 p.m.

Different water, too
Pamela -- Tuesday, 12 August 2003, at 5:17 p.m.

Re: Different water, too
Bert -- Tuesday, 12 August 2003, at 10:14 p.m.

Re: Different water, too
Pamela -- Tuesday, 12 August 2003, at 11:43 p.m.

Funneling plus....
Randy Knauff -- Wednesday, 13 August 2003, at 12:58 a.m.

... plus a glacier
Pamela -- Wednesday, 13 August 2003, at 7:28 a.m.

Re: Different water, too
John K -- Wednesday, 13 August 2003, at 6:46 p.m.

Every word can be traced to its greek roots. *NM*
Robert N Pruden -- Saturday, 16 August 2003, at 6:28 p.m.

Correction
David -- Sunday, 17 August 2003, at 9:18 p.m.

Correction
Pamela -- Monday, 18 August 2003, at 9:19 a.m.

Hey Pam, and Erik the Viking
David -- Tuesday, 19 August 2003, at 4:06 a.m.

Greetings from the Great Lakes
Pamela -- Tuesday, 19 August 2003, at 9:51 a.m.

Re: Inadvertent Rescue Practice
Shawn Baker -- Sunday, 10 August 2003, at 2:37 p.m.

"rough water simulator"
Mick -- Monday, 11 August 2003, at 2:26 a.m.

Re: Inadvertent Rescue Practice
Doug Downey -- Monday, 11 August 2003, at 12:43 p.m.

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