Himalayas Cool Amid Global Climate Crisis, Stumping Scientists

Source– This post is based on the article “Scientists stunned as Himalayas get cooler despite global climate crisis” published in “Wion” on 13th December 2023.

Why in the News?

According to a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, a surprising Himalayan phenomenon was highlighted that could slow down the impact of the global climate crisis.

What is this Phenomenon?

1) Scientists observed that in the Himalayas, when high temperatures hit high-altitude ice masses, ‘katabatic’ winds are triggered that blow cold air to lower-altitude areas.

2) The study shows that a temperature gap is created between the warmer mountain air and the cooler air in contact with ice masses, resulting in enhanced turbulent heat exchange.

3) As the warm air gets cooler and denser, it sinks, triggering the katabatic winds in neighbouring areas down the slope.

4) This phenomenon might mitigate the impacts of global warming in certain regions

What are Katabatic Winds?

1) A katabatic wind, also known as a drainage wind or fall wind, is the movement of high-density air from higher to lower elevations down a slope under gravity’s force.

2) It occurs at night when the highlands radiate heat and are cooled.

3) Examples– bora in the Adriatic, Bohemian Wind in the Ore Mountains, Santa Ana in southern California, and piteraq winds in Greenland.

UPSC Syllabus- Geography/Environment