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glacier breeze
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glacier breeze

meteorology
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Quick Summary

A glacier breeze is a localized wind caused by cold air flowing down from a glacier. This occurs because the ice cools the air in contact with it, making it denser than the surrounding air. This denser, colder air then moves downhill along the glacier's edge. The glacier breeze typically dissipates shortly after leaving the glacier.1

This phenomenon is a type of katabatic wind, which is any wind that blows down a slope due to gravity. Katabatic winds are most pronounced when the air is calm, as mixing by stronger winds can prevent the formation of cold air pockets.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. katabatic wind
  2. breeze

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