katabatic

American  

[kat-uh-bat-ik] / ˌkæt əˈbæt ɪk /

adjective

Meteorology.

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

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katabatic British  

/ 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

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katabatic Scientific  

/ kăt′ə-băt′ĭk /

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

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Etymology

Origin of katabatic

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

Example Sentences

At the same time, the high-speed, gravitationally driven Katabatic winds ablate away the surface of this ice to expose meteorites that had previously fallen on the ice sheets and been carried along with them.

From Slate • Sep. 24, 2013

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

From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2012

Katabatic winds are blowing on the ground and off the high ridges.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2010

Thursday, Dec. 9 Katabatic winds are an Antarctic specialty.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2010