Foen-type winds will blow today, Tuesday, April 23, according to the director of EMY, Thodoris Kolidas.
“Many times we have seen comparable or even greater differences of 16°C between North-West Greece and Southern Island areas, especially in cases where strong descending southerly winds prevail”, he wrote characteristically in his post.
Regarding the temperature, he emphasized that “we may even catch 30s, but it will not be many, as reported in the press”.
According to him “these prices will be limited mainly in Crete, or where the locally strengthened downwinds of the Foen type will again play an important role”.
But what are Foen winds?
It is a dry wind, relatively warm and downslope, as it occurs on the leeward (downward side) of a mountain range. It is considered a “rain wind” resulting from the heating of the air on the slopes.
- Foen winds can raise the temperature up to 14 °C in just a few hours. Switzerland, southern Germany and Austria have a warmer climate due to Foen winds. In these areas, experts believe that moist winds from the Mediterranean Sea blow over the Alps.
- Winds of this type are also called “snow eaters” for their ability to cause snow and ice to melt or sublimate quickly.
- This is a result not only of the heat of the Foen wind, but also of its low humidity.
- Foen winds are a “trouble” for climbers in the Alps, as they are thought to add extra problems to the ascent of an already difficult peak.
Also, Foen-type winds are also associated with the rapid spread of fires.
