Weaker chinooks may be causing a fascinating weather trend in southern Alberta
While climate change may be warming much of North America, a new study found that parts of southern Alberta have been experiencing a cooling trend, and fewer, weaker chinooks could be the cause.
A University of Calgary-led study found that parts of southeastern Alberta, specifically from Calgary to Lethbridge and towards Medicine Hat, have been experiencing a cooling trend since 1980, creating what researchers describe as a “cold anomaly” compared to warming trends across North America.
A chinook is a warm, dry wind that blows down the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, sometimes causing temperatures to jump by as much as 20°C in just a few hours.
Dr. John Yackel, a professor of geography in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary and lead author of the study, says a decline in chinook activity could be one reason the region is seeing cooler temperatures.
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The study found that strong westerly winds, which help push warm air over the Rocky Mountains and create chinooks, have become less common. On the other hand, winds from the north have become more common, bringing colder air into the region.
The study also looked at whether wider changes in weather patterns could be playing a role. It points to Arctic warming as one possible factor.
As the Arctic continues to warm, Yackel says southern Alberta could see even fewer chinooks in the future. He also expects the winds to have less of an impact on temperatures when they do occur, meaning the region could miss out on more of the warm spells it’s known for.
The changes in chinook activity could also be affecting how long snow stays on the ground. The study found that more snow has been sticking around during the winter and spring, even as snowfall has decreased.
Researchers say fewer chinooks could mean less snow melting during the winter, allowing it to stick around longer and contribute to cooler spring temperatures.