Selected, Named Local Wind Systems Affecting the United States

Name Geographic Region Affected Season Characteristics
Santa Ana Winds  Coastal Southern California - Santa Barbara to Mexican
 Border
 Fall to Early Winter  Hot, dry, blow down canyons
 toward sea.  Often aggravate
 brush and forest fires .
California Norther  Northern half of California's San Joaquin Valley  Late Summer and Fall  Similar to Santa Anas except
 inland.
Chinook Winds ("snoweaters")  Eastern Slope of Rockies from Alberta to New Mexico  Winter  Unseasonable warm, dry
 downslope winds.
 Texas Norther (or Blue Norther)  Texas Panhandle  Winter  Cold, sometimes
 accompanied by snow.
 Northeaster (or "Nor'easter")  Coastal New England  Winter  Strong onshore northeasterly
 wind, usually accompanied by
 heavy snowfall.