Warm, gusty winds found on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains are known by which of these names?

In the cold winter months of regions east of the Rocky Mountains, a strong, dry, warm wind sometimes blows from the mountains across the land. These winds, known as Chinook winds, can bring quick temperature changes.

The winds are named for the Chinook Native Americans who lived in the coastal regions of Washington and Oregon near the Columbia River, according to Chinook Nation. Winds similar to Chinook occur all over the world and are known by several local names. In the European Alps, they are called fohn winds. In central Asia, they are afganet; in the Andes of South America, these winds are called puelche; and in Southern California, they are known as the Santa Ana winds.

Chinook winds develop when warm, moist air blows from the Pacific Ocean in the northwest region of North America toward the Rocky Mountain range. The air mass cools as it climbs the mountains, bringing rain or snow to the peaks. The air mass, now dry after releasing its moisture in the mountains, warms as it moves down the eastern side of the mountains. The air mass warms rapidly, eventually becoming warmer and drier than the original air mass coming from over the Pacific Ocean. When the winds suddenly change direction toward the west or southwest, the Chinook winds begin with increasing speeds.