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I became familar with the Antartic version of these winds a few years ago. I am still shocked by how fast the wind speed can get; considering that there are not large temperature differences in this geographic region.
If you think about about it, the north and the south pole are the coldest places on earth. Hot goes to cold. Basically all the thermal energy from the equator flows to the poles. You see that in hurricanes as they travel north up the coast from the equator for instance(from Texas all the way to New York). The poles are the places that experience the highest rise in temperature from global warming. The equator experience the least. So yes, you will get very high speed winds at the poles.
If you think about about it, the north and the south pole are the coldest places on earth. Hot goes to cold. Basically all the thermal energy from the equator flows to the poles. You see that in hurricanes as they travel north up the coast from the equator for instance(from Texas all the way to New York). The poles are the places that experience the highest rise in temperature from global warming. The equator experience the least. So yes, you will get very high speed winds at the poles.
I am aware of this (Hadley Cells) but these winds are apparently caused by terrain differentials. .
I am aware of this (Hadley Cells) but these winds are apparently caused by terrain differentials. .
For me, I can actually cite a similar experience for illustration (if anyone else can relate) involving terrain in southern California between the coastal wind currents running through mountains and sweeping downwards into the deserts below sea level of Imperial Valley. The coast does'nt really have that much wind, it's simply a mild airflow from west to east that becomes intensified cresting the mountain ridges and swooping down towards the deserts below. These winds are constant and in many places on Interstate - 8 they have permanent wind fences because the winds can almost be hurricane force. They are at their worst in the winter because of wind direction from the west to east. Summer is entirely different as it brings a moist southeastly flow from sub-tropic Mexico. But that winter flow is definitely a geographic intensification phenomena.
For me, I can actually cite a similar experience for illustration (if anyone else can relate) involving terrain in southern California between the coastal wind currents running through mountains and sweeping downwards into the deserts below sea level of Imperial Valley. The coast does'nt really have that much wind, it's simply a mild airflow from west to east that becomes intensified cresting the mountain ridges and swooping down towards the deserts below. These winds are constant and in many places on Interstate - 8 they have permanent wind fences because the winds can almost be hurricane force. They are at their worst in the winter because of wind direction from the west to east. Summer is entirely different as it brings a moist southeastly flow from sub-tropic Mexico. But that winter flow is definitely a geographic intensification phenomena.
It is strange that the winds are present in an extremely cold climate and a relatively mild one; I was amazed by the speed and duration in Antartica. I think as you said...the Santa Ana winds are the same phenomena.
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