Regional Winds – Warm downslope winds north of the Alps In European meteorology, what name is given to the warm, dry downslope winds experienced north of the Alps, produced by air descending the lee side of the mountains?

Introduction / Context:
Lee-side downslope winds are notable for warming and drying as air descends from mountain crests. In Europe, the classic example occurs on the northern side of the Alps and has clear weather, health, and agricultural implications.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Location: north of the Alps in Europe.
• Meteorological process: air ascends the windward slope, loses moisture, then descends and warms adiabatically on the leeward side.
• We must select the established regional name.

Concept / Approach:
The foehn (or föhn) wind results from orographic ascent and descent. Condensation and precipitation on the windward side remove moisture, while descending air warms at the dry adiabatic rate, producing warm, dry, gusty conditions north of the Alps. By contrast, Chinook is the North American analogue on the lee of the Rockies, sirocco is a hot wind from the Sahara toward the Mediterranean, and loo is a hot, dry wind of the Indo-Gangetic Plain in pre-monsoon summer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Match region (Alps, Europe) with the canonical term: foehn.Eliminate Chinook (Rockies), sirocco (Sahara to Mediterranean), and loo (North India).Select “the foehn”.

Verification / Alternative check:
Climatology references tie foehn events to pressure patterns south of the Alps and associated temperature spikes north of the range.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• the Chinook: correct phenomenon, wrong continent.
• the sirocco: warm dust-laden Mediterranean wind, not lee-Alpine downslope.
• the loo: hot seasonal wind in northern India.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing foehn with sirocco because both can be warm; the key is the orographic descent versus desert advection.

Final Answer:
the foehn