Geography • Physical GeographyMedium
The phenomenon of katabatic winds in the deep valleys of Himachal Pradesh during clear winter nights is primarily caused by:
A. Radiative cooling of mountain slopes making dense air flow downslope✓ Correct Answer
B. Strong maritime pressure gradients pushing air inland
C. Sudden volcanic degassing along tectonic fault lines
D. High solar insolation melting valley bottom glaciers
💡 Solution & Explanation
Katabatic winds occur when high-altitude mountain slopes cool rapidly by terrestrial radiation on clear nights, making the adjacent air dense and causing it to drain downward under gravity into valley bottoms. Anabatic winds represent the reverse daytime phenomenon where valley slopes heat up faster than the air above them. Mountain-valley wind systems strongly influence local microclimates and frost occurrences in horticultural belts.
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