katabatic

[kat-uh-bat-ik]

adjective

Meteorology.

1. (of a wind or air current) moving downward or down a slope.

katabatic

/ ˌkætəˈbætɪk /

adjective

1. (of winds) blowing downhill through having become denser with cooling, esp at night when heat is lost from the earth's surface Compare anabatic

katabatic

1. Relating to wind currents that blow down a gradient, especially down the slopes of a mountain or glacier. When air comes in contact with the cool surface of a glacier or the upper regions of a mountain or slope, the air cools, becomes dense, and blows downward. Katabatic winds are usually cool and are especially common at night in polar regions.

2. Compare anabatic

Word History and Origins

Origin of katabatic¹

1915–20; < Greek katabatikós pertaining to going down, equivalent to kata- kata- + ba- (stem of baínein to go; basis ) + -tikos -tic

Example Sentences

The vast Himalayan glaciers cool enormous air masses that slide downslope under gravity, creating what scientists call katabatic winds.

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"We believe that the katabatic winds are the response of healthy glaciers to rising global temperatures and that this phenomenon could help preserve the permafrost and surrounding vegetation," says Guyennon.

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He said he hopes that the research on the role of Foehn and katabatic winds in polar regions will help the climate science community strengthen the physical fidelity of Earth system models.

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Like other downslope, or katabatic, winds, the Santa Anas form because of differences in temperature and topography.

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These are likely Martian versions of the katabatic winds that batter Antarctica.

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