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What is meant by local winds? Describe the world’s major local winds. 

Or 

On regional basis, the form and nature of the winds is different, how? Explain.

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Winds that blow due to the difference in temperature and air pressure in a particular location are called local winds. 

These winds are related to the particular region and the climatic characteristics.

1. World’s main local winds: There are many local winds which blow on the regional basis all over the world. The nature of these winds often varies. On the basis of their temperature, cold and hot winds are found; on the basis of moisture dry and moist winds are found, and on the basis of speed, they are found in the form of slow and intense winds. Some of the major local winds found in the world have been described below: 

2. Blizzard: They are also called storm squall. They mainly blow in the United States, Canada and Siberia. Their speed is 80-96 km. per hour. As they contain snow particles, visibility becomes zero. Due to their arrival, the temperature suddenly goes below freezing point and the surface gets covered with snow. In the absence of western – eastern surface obstruction in the United States, these winds reach the southern provinces while affecting all the intermediate plains. Here they are called ‘Nardan’, and in Siberia they are called ‘Buran’.

3. Chinook: The hot and dry local winds which flow along the mountain slopes are called ‘Chinook’ in North America. The influence of Chinook winds is found especially on the Prairie Plains of the United States. Mainly, these winds blow in the winter season. In this season, snowflakes are spread in the Great Plains of North America. But when these hot and dry Chinooks flow across the Rocky Mountains and descend into the Prairie grasslands of the East, then layers of ice melt quickly. Therefore these winds are also called ‘snow – eating winds’. 

4. Fon/Fohn: These winds descend from the southern slope of Alps mountain and descend to the north along the slope. Due to these winds, the heating of the affected areas increases at a fast pace, i.e. in one or two minutes from 8° to 10° Celsius. With this, the frozen ice melts and the grass grows and the pastures are ready for the animals. As well as agriculture is started. Their most impact is in Switzerland, where these winds blow more during the spring and autumn seasons. 

5. Sirocco: These are hot, dry and “sand – filled winds, which affect Italy, Spain, etc., blowing from the Sahara Desert towards the Mediterranean Sea. The amount of red sand contained in Sirocco winds is high. When it passes over the Mediterranean Sea, it absorbs moisture. Red soil descends along with rain in southern Italy, and this rain is known as’ blood rain’.

Their dryness and temperature increase when they descend on the Atlas mountain’s northern slope. These winds are known by different names at different places. Sirocco in Italy, Simoom in Sahara, Gibli in Libya, Chili in Tunisia, Leves in Spain, etc. . The hot and dry wind that blows in the Arabian Desert is called Simoom. These winds have disastrous effects on vegetation, agriculture and fruit plantations. 

6. Harmattan: The hot and dry winds blowing in the eastern part of the Sahara Desert of Africa, from the north-east and east to the west, are called ‘Harmattan’. Their speed is intense. The western coast of Africa is hot and humid, making the weather unhealthy. On arrival of Harmattan, due to its dryness, the weather becomes pleasant and healthy. Due to this effect, this wind is known as ‘Doctor Air’ on the Guinea Coast. Such hot and dry winds which blow in the Victoria province of Australia, are called ‘Brick fielders’.

7. Mistral: These are cold, dry and fast moving winds, which affect the north – western part of the Mediterranean Sea, especially Spain and France. Mistral normally runs at an speed of 56 – 64 km per hour, but sometimes, their speed increases up to 128 km. per hour. This causes difficulty in flying the airplanes. In order to avoid these winds, trees and shrubs are planted at right angles to their flow – direction. When these winds arrive, the temperature goes below freezing point. 

8. Loo: It is a hot and dry wind that blows in the plains of north-west India and Pakistan. It blows during the summer season. When this wind blows, it increases the temperature of its transmission area. That is why during the summers, after 9-10 O’clock in the morning, the affected areas become deserted.

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