Meteorologylocal winds
Anabatic Wind
An anabatic wind is a localised wind that blows up a steep slope or mountainside, driven by solar heating of the terrain. The sun warms the slope, which in turn warms the adjacent air, causing it to become less dense and rise. This upslope flow is a daytime phenomenon and is the opposite of a katabatic wind.
Key Points
- •Occurs during the day due to solar heating of the terrain.
- •Warm, less dense air flows up the slope of a valley or mountain.
- •Can lead to the formation of cumuliform clouds near mountain peaks.
Exam Relevance
Recognizing anabatic winds is important for understanding local wind patterns, thermal turbulence, and up-drafts near mountainous terrain during daytime VFR operations.
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