Change set
Pick exam & year, then Go.
Question map
Which one of the following winds is responsible for wildfires in Southern California?
Explanation
The Santa Ana winds are strong, extremely dry downslope winds that originate inland and affect coastal Southern California and northern Baja California. These are katabatic winds that occur when high pressure builds over the Great Basin and Mojave Desert. As the air moves toward the lower pressure off the coast, it is compressed and warms adiabatically while descending the mountain ranges. This results in hot, gusty winds with extremely low relative humidity, creating ideal conditions for the rapid spread of wildfires. While Diablo winds are similar, they primarily affect Northern California (San Francisco Bay Area). Chinook winds occur on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and Jarbo Gap winds are localized winds specific to Northern California's Sierra Nevada foothills.