MOUNTAIN AND
VALLEY BREEZE
CHARACTERISTICS
(You should know and be able to
explain these characteristics)
1. Also known as "gravity winds" or "drainage winds."
2. Strongest in and near canyon mouths.
3. Blow upslope during the daytime and downslope at night.
4. Mountain breezes feel cool (because of the wind-chill factor), but may prevent radiation
inversions from developing and also are subject to compressional heating. Therefore they
keep the nighttime surface temperatures a little warmer than in adjacent, but sheltered areas,
especially in canyon mouths.5. Valley breezes develop in the morning, on east-facing slopes first and west-facing slopes last.
6. Mountain breezes develop in the evening, on east-facing slopes first and west-facing slopes last.