chinook
/ʃɪˈnʊk/
Definition
A warm, dry wind that blows down from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, often causing rapid temperature increases in winter.
Etymology
The word originates from the Chinook people, a Native American group of the Pacific Northwest. It was adapted into English via the fur trade to describe the warm wind blowing from the direction of the region historically inhabited by these tribes.
In the news
The article uses the term to highlight that local climate variations—not environmental neglect—explain why Calgary was unseasonably warm during a celebrity's visit. This serves as an example of how natural weather phenomena are often misunderstood by those critiquing the region.
The Striking Parallels Between British Columbia and California’s Climate Agenda
Read the full article ↗EnergyNow