We naturally think of snow during the winter season, but do we give the winter wind it's due? When the wind gets gusty, it is the fodder of small talk in offices and elevators around the city, and yet we often think snow defines the winter season. Whether we realize it or not, windy weather is common during the winter months along the Front Range. In fact, you might say that Colorado has its own hurricane season, with hurricane force winds blowing across the Front Range every winter! On January 17, 1982, the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder recorded a wind gust of 137 mph. That's as strong as a category four hurricane!

During this season the jet stream tends to flow west-to-east across the Rocky Mountains. This perpendicular pattern forces the air flow up and over the high country, with downsloping winds on the leeward side of the mountains. As the air flows downward, the wind gusts can be greater than 100 mph. Cars, windows, and home roofs are vulnerable in these weather conditions.

Need further evidence of the tendency toward windy weather? Check out the native vegetation along the Front Range. Many native bushes and trees have adapted to the frequent windy weather. Bushes are shorter, and their growth remains close to the ground. Some pine trees actually bend away from the predominant wind flow (toward the east), and some tree branches may only grow on the side that faces away from the wind.

You can usually thank the wind for those warm, sunny winter days. Downsloping winds usually bring warmer and clearer weather to the lower elevations because the air compresses as it descends. As a result, the air warms up and dries out. These downsloping winds are called Chinook winds in the western United States, and Foehn winds in Europe and other parts of the world. You may enjoy temperatures 20 degrees above average, but you'll have to put up with the wind in the meantime.

To learn more, take Richard's Rocky Mountain Weather Quiz.