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Santa Ana wind

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	Topics Santa Ana wind Topic Home The Santa Ana winds are strong, extremely dry offshore windWind Wind is the roughly horizontal movement of air caused by uneven heating of the Earth's surface.... s that characteristically sweep through in Southern CaliforniaSouthern California Southern California, sometimes abbreviated SoCal or colloquially, the Southland, is an informal name for the meg... and northern Baja CaliforniaBaja California Baja California is the northernmost state of Mexico.... in late fall and winter. Temperature-wise, they can range from hot to cold, depending on the prevailing temperatures in the source regions, the Great BasinGreat Basin The Great Basin is a large, arid region of the western United States.... and upper Mojave DesertMojave Desert Summary The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southern California and smaller parts of southwestern Utah, southern Nev... . Description Meteorology Santa Anas are a type of drainage windKatabatic wind A katabatic wind, from the Greek word katabatikos meaning "going downhill", is a wind that blows down a topographic incl... , an offshore wind that results from the buildup of air pressureAtmospheric pressure Atmospheric pressure is the pressure above any area in the Earth's atmosphere caused by the weight of air.... in the high-altitudeHigh altitude High altitude are regions on the Earth's surface that are high above mean sea level.... Great BasinGreat Basin The Great Basin is a large, arid region of the western United States.... between the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains, often called the Rockies, are a broad mountain range in western North America.... . When upper level winds are favorable, this high altitude air mass spills out of the Great Basin and is propelled gravitationally towards the southern California coastline, generally as a northeasterly wind. It is often said that the air is heated and dried as it passes through the MojaveMojave Desert The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southern California and smaller parts of southwestern Utah, southern Nev... and SonoranSonoran Desert The Sonoran Desert is a North American desert which straddles part of the U.S.-Mexico border and covers large parts of the U... DesertDesert In geography, a desert is a landscape form or region that receives little precipitation.... s, but according to meteorologists this is a popular misconception. The Santa Ana winds usually form during autumn and early spring when the surface air in the elevated regions of the Great Basin and Mojave Desert (the "high desert") becomes cool or even cold, although they may form at virtually any time of year. The air heats up due to adiabatic heatingLapse rate The lapse rate is defined as the rate of change in temperature observed while moving upwards through the Earth's atmosphere... during its descent. While the air has already been dried by orographic liftOrographic lift Orographic lift occurs when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain... before reaching the Great Basin as well as by subsidence from the upper atmosphere, the relative humidity of the air is further decreased as it descends from the high desert toward the coast, often falling below 10 percent. The air from the high desert is initially relatively dense owing to its coolness and aridity, and thus tends to channel down the valleys and canyons in gusts which can attain hurricane force at times. As it descends, the air not only becomes drier, but also warms adiabaticallyAdiabatic process Overview In thermodynamics, an adiabatic process or an isocaloric process is a process in which no heat is transferred to or fr... by compression. The southern California coastal region gets some of its hottest weather of the year during autumn while Santa Ana winds are blowing. During Santa Ana conditions it is typically hotter along the coast than in the deserts. The combination of wind, heat, and dryness accompanying the Santa Ana winds turns the chaparralChaparral Chaparral is a shrubland biome found primarily in California, USA, that is shaped by a Mediterranean climate and wildfire.... into explosive fuel feeding the infamous wildfireWildfire A wildfire, also known as a forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, brush fire, bushfire , o... s for which the region is known. Wildfires fanned by Santa Ana winds burned 721,791 acres (2,921 km²) in two weeks during October 2003. These same winds have contributed to the fires that have burned some 426,000 acres as of late October 2007. Although the winds often have a destructive nature, they have some positive benefits as well. They cause cold water to rise from below the surface layer of the ocean, bringing with it many nutrients that ultimately benefit local fisheries. As the winds blow over the ocean, sea surface temperatures drop about 4°C (7°F), indicating the upwellingUpwelling Upwelling is an oceanographic phenomenon that involves wind-driven motion of dense, cooler, and usually nutrient-rich water ... . ChlorophyllChlorophyll Chlorophyll is a green photosynthetic pigment found in most plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.... concentrations in the surface water go from negligible, in the absence of winds, to very active at more than 1.5 milligrams per cubic meter in the presence of the winds. Santa Ana fog A Santa Ana fog is derivative phenomenon in which a ground fogFog Fog is a cloud in contact with the ground.... settles in Southern CaliforniaSouthern California Southern California, sometimes abbreviated SoCal or colloquially, the Southland, is an informal name for the meg... during the end of a Santa Ana wind episode. When Santa Ana conditions prevail, with winds in the lower two to three kilometers (1.25-1.8 m) of the atmosphere from the north through east, the lower atmosphere continues to be dry. But as soon as the Santa Ana winds cease, the cool and moist marine layerMarine layer A marine layer is a cool, moist, foggy layer of air that can be several hundred feet to as much as three thousand feet thick... forms rapidly. The air in the marine layer becomes very moist and fog occurs. A related phenomenon occurs when the Santa Ana condition is present but weak, allowing hot dry air to accumulate in the inland valleys that may not push all the way to sea level. Under these conditions auto commuters can drive from the San Fernando Valley where conditions are sunny and warm, over the low Santa Monica Mountains, to plunge into the cool cloudy air, low clouds, and fog characteristic of the marine air mass. This and the "Santa Ana fog" above constitute examples of an air inversionInversion (meteorology) In meteorology, an inversion is a deviation from the normal change of an atmospheric property with altitude.... . Cold Santa Ana's While characteristically hot and dry, the Santa Anas can also blow cold and dry, and in fact can bring some of Southern California's coldest weather. High cloudiness, most commonly cirrusCirrus cloud Summary A cirrus cloud is a type of cloud composed of ice crystals and characterized by thin, wisplike strands, often accompanied by... and altostratus, but also lenticular cloudLenticular cloud Lenticular clouds, technically known as *altocumulus standing lenticularis, are stationary lens-shaped clouds that ... s may be observed, and on rare occasions these usually dry southwest-flowing winds can bring rain. Popular experience In the Los Angeles BasinLos Angeles Basin \|\| \|-\|\| \|-\|\| \|}The Los Angeles Basin* is the coastal sediment-filled plain located between the peninsular and transverse r... , the winds are often credited with the extremely high visibilityVisibility In meteorology, visibility is a measure of the distance at which an object or light can be seen.... experienced in the area during the winter, in contrast to the hazy, smoggy summers. The adverse pulmonary health impacts have been understood by local doctors for decades; the winds pick up and transmit grit, dust, pollens, mold spores and other irritants and allergens for considerable distances. Residents regularly notice a build-up of dust in their homes and grit on their properties during these periods, which are frequent during the winter. Similar winds To the north, in the Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, California Santa Barbara is a city in California, United States.... area, the Santa Ana winds are weaker and are usually held at bay by topography: the local mountains offer no prominent outlets, in the form of passes or river valleys, from the elevated inland source areas. However, a variant of the Santa Ana wind, known locally as Sundowner windsSundowner (wind) A Sundowner is an offshore wind which occurs when a region of high pressure is directly north of the Santa Barbara area, the... , often invade the area. These are downslope winds which occur when a high pressure area lies due north of Santa Barbara, and occur most frequently in the late spring to early summer, and are strongest at sunset, or "sundown," hence their name. Since high pressure areas usually migrate east, changing the pressure gradient in southern California to the northeast, it is common for "sundowner" wind events to precede Santa Ana events by a day or two. Winds blowing off the elevated glaciated plateaus of GreenlandGreenland Greenland is a self-governed Danish territory.... and AntarcticaAntarctica Antarctica is the southernmost continent and encompasses the South Pole.... experience the most extreme form of katabatic windKatabatic wind A katabatic wind, from the Greek word katabatikos meaning "going downhill", is a wind that blows down a topographic incl... , of which the Santa Ana is a type, for the most part. The winds start at a high elevation and flow outward and downslope, attaining hurricane gusts in valleys, along the shore, and even out to sea. Like the Santa Ana, these winds also heat up by compression and lose humidity, but since they start out so extraordinarily cold and dry and blow over snow and ice all the way to the sea, the perceived difference is negligible. Historical impact The winds are also associated with some of the area's largest and deadliest wildfireWildfire A wildfire, also known as a forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, brush fire, bushfire , o... s, including the state's largest fire on record, the Cedar FireCedar Fire Summary The Cedar Fire was the second largest wildfire in the history of the U.S.... , as well as the Laguna FireLaguna Fire The Laguna Fire, previously known as the Kitchen Creek Fire and the Boulder Oaks Fire, was, at its time, the second-largest ... , Old FireOld Fire The Old Fire was a wildfire that started on October 25, 2003 in the San Bernardino Mountains of the U.S.... , Esperanza FireEsperanza Fire The Esperanza Fire was a wind-driven arson-caused wildfire that started in a river wash near Cabazon, California.... , Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889 and the Witch Fire. In October 2007 the winds fueled major wild fires and house burnings in EscondidoEscondido, California Escondido is a city located in northern San Diego County, California just north of San Diego, California, USA.... , MalibuMalibu, California Malibu is a city located in western Los Angeles County, California, United States.... , San MarcosSan Marcos, California San Marcos is a city located in the northern portion of San Diego County, California, USA.... , CarlsbadCarlsbad, California Carlsbad is a suburban city in northern San Diego County, California.... , Rancho Bernardo, PowayPoway, California Overview Poway is a city in San Diego County, California, United States.... , and in the major cities of San BernardinoSan Bernardino, California San Bernardino is the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States.... , San DiegoSan Diego, California San Diego is a coastal Southern California city located in the southwestern corner of the continental United States.... and Los AngelesLos Angeles, California Los Angeles, known as "L.A." or the "City of Angels", is the largest city in the state of California and the sec... . Etymology Santa Ana winds may get their name from the Santa Ana MountainsSanta Ana Mountains Overview The Santa Ana Mountains are a short peninsular mountain range along the coast of Southern California in the United States.... in Orange County, the Santa Ana RiverSanta Ana River The Santa Ana River begins in San Bernardino County, California in the San Bernardino National Forest.... or Santa Ana CanyonSanta Ana Canyon Santa Ana Canyon is where the Santa Ana River passes between the Santa Ana Mountains and the Chino Hills at the border betw... , along which the winds are particularly strong. There are also claims that the original form is Santana winds, from the Spanish vientos de Satán ("winds of SatanSatan Satan is a term with its origins in the Abrahamic faiths which is traditionally applied to an angel, demon, or minor god in... ", Sanatanas being a rarer form of Satanás), and that this, in turn, is a translation of a native name in some unspecified language. According to the Los Angeles Almanac: "The original spelling of the name of the winds is unclear, not to mention the origin. The name Santana Winds is said to be traced to Spanish California, when the winds were called devil winds due to their heat. The reference book Los Angeles A to Z (by Leonard & Dale Pitt), credits the Santa Ana Canyon in Orange County as the origin of the name Santa Ana Winds, thereby arguing for the term Santa Anas. This might be supported by early accounts which attributed the Santa Ana RiverSanta Ana River The Santa Ana River begins in San Bernardino County, California in the San Bernardino National Forest.... bed running through the canyon as the source of the winds. Another account placed the origin of Santa Ana winds with an Associated PressAssociated Press Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the world's largest such organization.... correspondent stationed in Santa Ana who mistakenly began using Santa Ana winds instead of Santana winds in a 1901 dispatch." Santa Ana winds in popular culture Songs 1980s The Beach Boys song "Santa Ana Winds" appears on their 1980 album Keepin' the Summer AliveKeepin' the Summer Alive *Keepin' the Summer Alive* is the first 1980s album by The Beach Boys, and their second release under their contract with ... . The song "Babylon Sisters" by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in the Steely DanSteely Dan Steely Dan is an American jazz/soft rock band centered around the core members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.... 's album "Gaucho" (1980) has the refrain "Here come those Santa Ana winds again." The Santa Ana Winds are referred to in the 1983 song "I Love L.A.I Love L.A. *I Love L.A.* is a song written and recorded by Randy Newman.... " by Randy NewmanRandy Newman Summary Randall Stuart "Randy" Newman is an American songwriter, arranger, singer and pianist who is notable for his mordant pop so... : "And the Santa Ana Winds blowing hot from the north..." On Survivor's 1983 album Caught in the GameCaught in the Game *Caught in the Game* is a Survivor album featuring guest appearances by Mr.... , there is included an atmospheric song named "Santa Ana Winds" that refers to a disastrous woman. Steve GoodmanSteve Goodman Steve Goodman was a Chicago folk music singer and songwriter.... 's Santa Ana Winds, the last album released before his death in 1984, contains the song of the same name. "Chicago Shorty" wrote this analogy of unrequited love from the view of a man from a city where wind is understood. The a capella group The BobsThe Bobs ----The Bobs are a "new wave" a cappella group founded in San Francisco, California.... ' song "Santa Ana Woman" from their 1988 album Songs for Tomorrow Morning has the line "The Santa Ana winds had come back / And the whole city of LA was acting like it had PMS." The band Animal LogicAnimal Logic (band) Animal Logic is the name of a band formed in 1989 by Stewart Copeland, Stanley Clarke, and Deborah Holland.... recorded a song "Winds Of Santa Ana" appearing in the band's self-titled 1989 album. 1990s The song "Summer RainSummer Rain (Belinda Carlisle song) "Summer Rain" is a song written by Robbie Seidman and Maria Vidal, produced by Rick Nowels for Belinda Carlisle's third solo... " (1990) by Belinda CarlisleBelinda Carlisle Belinda Carlisle on August 17, 1958 in Hollywood, California, is the lead vocalist and a founding member of the all-female r... has the lyrics "I remember the rain on our skin. And his kisses hotter than the Santa Ana winds." RancidRancid (band) Rancid is a punk rock band that was formed in 1991 in Berkeley, California, by Matt Freeman and Tim Armstrong .... makes reference to the winds in the song "Brad Logan" on the Chef Aid: The South Park Album (1998). "California sun has sunk/ behind the Anaheim hills; here comes the night/ I was high on junk/ and the warm winds of Santa Ana feel alright." 2000s The song "Mansfield" from Elton JohnElton John Sir Elton John is a five-time Grammy winning singer/songwriter.... 's 2001 album Songs from the West CoastSongs from the West Coast *Songs From The West Coast* is an album recorded by Elton John and released in 2001.... mentions a "California moon" and contains the lyrics "The Santa Ana winds blew warm into your room". Bad ReligionBad Religion Bad Religion is an influential hardcore punk/punk rock band created in Southern California in 1980 by Jay Bentley, Greg Graf... mentions the winds a few times, using their nickname "murder winds" and the line "The fans of Santa Ana are withering" in the song "Los Angeles Is Burning" from the 2004 album The Empire Strikes FirstThe Empire Strikes First *The Empire Strikes First* is an album by Bad Religion released on June 8, 2004.... . "When the hills of Los Angeles are burning/ Palm trees are candles in the murder winds/ So many lives are on the breeze/ Even the stars are ill at ease/ And Los Angeles is burning." The song "Catch My DiseaseCatch My Disease "Catch My Disease" is a single by Australian artist Ben Lee.... " (2005) by Ben LeeFacts About Ben Lee Ben Lee is an Australian musician and actor.... has the lyrics "She told me about the winds from Santa Ana/ And that's the way I like it." Danish band MewMew (band) Mew is an indie rock band from Denmark. ... 's song "The Zookeeper's Boy" from their 2005 album And the Glass Handed Kites refers to the winds in the lyric "Santa Ana winds bring seasickness." Jason MrazJason Mraz Jason Thomas Mraz is an American singer-songwriter, born and raised in Mechanicsville, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond.... 's unreleased "Silent Love Song" refers to the Santa Ana winds. Movies In the 1971 movie The Return of Count YorgaThe Return of Count Yorga *The Return of Count Yorga* is a 1971 vampire/horror movie starring Robert Quarry.... , set in California, the characters discuss the recent wind in the area and ask the Count if he has heard of winds of Santa Ana to which he replies; "But of course. The Winds of Santa Ana are world famous." In the 1978 film Big WednesdayBig Wednesday *Big Wednesday* was a 1978 coming-of-age movie, directed by John Milius, starring Jan-Michael Vincent, William Katt and Ga... , the Santa Ana winds are mentioned in the opening sequence. In the 1983 film BreathlessBreathless (1983 film) *Breathless* is a 1983 film starring Richard Gere and Valrie Kaprisky.... , the Santa Ana Winds are described by Jesse Lujack to Monica Poiccard. In the 1984 film Top Secret!Top Secret! *Top Secret!* is a 1984 comedy directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker.... the tropical island paradise is said to be ravaged by the Santa Ana winds. In the 1994 film Mixed NutsMixed Nuts *Mixed Nuts* is a motion picture released in the United States on December 21, 1994.... , the Santa Ana winds are mentioned briefly. In the 1995 film My FamilyMy Family (film) *My Family* is a 1995 film directed by Gregory Nava, who was previously nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay in El ... , the Santa Ana Winds are mentioned in the sequence when Chucho, a gang member, is shot dead by the LAPDFacts About Los Angeles Police Department The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the City of Los Angeles, California.... . In the 2003 film Bells of InnocenceBells of Innocence *Bells of Innocence* is a feature film directed by Ali Bijan and written by Chris Bessey.... , the redskin says that this wind will not allow the God Books arrive in MexicoMexico The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country located in North America, bordered at the north by t... . In the 2006 film The HolidayThe Holiday *The Holiday* is a 2006 romantic comedy film set in California and England.... , the Santa Ana winds are constantly shown, and Jack Black's character 'Miles' mentions that when they blow, "all bets are off" and "anything can happen". Fiction The Santa Ana winds are important to the plot of the book White OleanderWhite Oleander Overview *White Oleander* by Janet Fitch is a coming-of-age story about a child in foster care who is dealing with her separation f... by Janet FitchJanet Fitch Janet Fitch is most famously known as the author of the Oprah's Book Club novel White Oleander, which became a film in 2... . The Santa Ana winds are important aspect in the text Less Than ZeroLess Than Zero ... by Bret Easton EllisBret Easton Ellis Bret Easton Ellis is an American author.... . Miscellaneous The Santa Ana winds are the subject of a 1965 essay by Joan DidionJoan Didion Joan Didion is an American writer, known as a journalist, essayist, and novelist.... entitled "Los Angeles Notebook," which appears in her Slouching Towards BethlehemSlouching Towards Bethlehem *Slouching Towards Bethlehem* is a 1968 collection of essays by Joan Didion and mainly describes her experiences in Califo... collection of essays. There is also a band named The Santa Ana Winds Youth BandThe Santa Ana Winds Youth Band The Santa Ana Winds Youth Band is a community youth marching band in Orange County, California.... . See also Chinook windChinook wind Overview Chinook winds, often just called chinooks, are a variety of Fhn winds pattern observed in the interior West of North America... Diablo windDiablo wind Diablo wind is a rarely-used term for the hot, dry offshore wind from the northeast that typically occurs in the San Francis... Foehn wind Katabatic windKatabatic wind A katabatic wind, from the Greek word katabatikos meaning "going downhill", is a wind that blows down a topographic incl... Sundowner (wind)Facts About Sundowner (wind) A Sundowner is an offshore wind which occurs when a region of high pressure is directly north of the Santa Barbara area, the...