Weather Dictionary / Glossary of Terms

Chinook Arch


   Weather TermDescription / Definition
   Chinook Arch A foehn cloud formation appearing as a bank of altostratus clouds east of the Rocky Mountains, heralding the approach of a chinook. It forms in the rising portion of standing waves on the lee side of the mountains. An observer underneath or east of the cloud sees an arch of clear air between the cloud's leading edge and the mountains below. The cloud appears to converge with the mountains to the north and south due to a perspective effect.


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Data courtesy of NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration