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How do Chinook winds change winter weather in southern Alberta?
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In southern Alberta, Chinook winds significantly alter winter weather by bringing warm, dry air of Pacific origin down the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.12
These winds are known for their dramatic impact on local temperatures, which can rise by as much as 40 °F (22 °C) in an hour or less. This phenomenon provides a brief, intense respite from the typically cold, dry, and sunny winter conditions experienced across the province.2