föhn

British  

/ føːn, fɜːn /

noun

1. a warm dry wind blowing down the northern slopes of the Alps. It originates as moist air blowing from the Mediterranean, rising on reaching the Alps and cooling at the saturated adiabatic lapse rate, and descending on the leeward side, warming at the dry adiabatic lapse rate, thus gaining heat See also lapse rate

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Etymology

Origin of föhn

German, from Old High German phōnno , from Latin favōnius ; related to fovēre to warm

Example Sentences

Katabatic and föhn winds are primary drivers of the Dry Valleys climate.

From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2012

As I understand it, katabatic and föhn wind events are also correlated to slight increases in summer and winter temperatures, and thus high-flow stream seasons.

From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2012

On the 2nd June/22nd May a dreadful wind raged from the north-west, bringing from the high mountains a "sharp smoke-like air,"—it was certainly a föhn wind.

From The Voyage of the Vega round Asia and Europe, Volume I and Volume II by Leslie, Alexander, fl. 1879-1882

He has heard the föhn sweep down from the hills and spin the great stones off the house-roofs.

From At a Winter's Fire by Capes, Bernard Edward Joseph

Accordingly when the dry föhn winds prevail, a considerable evaporation of the snow takes place.

From The Voyage of the Vega round Asia and Europe, Volume I and Volume II by Leslie, Alexander, fl. 1879-1882