John in Manitou Springs sent in a great question the other day. He wrote...
"I live in Manitou Sprgs and I have noticed a consistent phenomena this summer: on warmer days (such as today, Sept 8) the temperature will drop the previous evening into the wee hours of the present day (2 to 3 am). However, starting around 3 to 4 am or so, the wind (usually westerly) will pick up and it will warm at least 5 degrees, and sometimes 10, quite rapidly. It reminds me of a mini-chinook, but I have no idea why it would start up at that time in the morning on these warm days. I love an explanation."
John, your observations are right on target, and it IS a "mini-chinook". Here's why it happens almost daily.
Overnight, the temperatures fall more rapidly over the higher elevations to the west of Manitou Springs, and since colder air sinks, it moves eastward down Ute Pass and through the city.
Since it's moving from higher to lower elevations, it warms and dries, just as our famous "Chinooks" do, and that's why you see that temperature rise when they start to blow.
These breezes are also referred to as "diurnal" (daily) or "drainage" winds, since they're "draining" down Ute Pass.
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