What are Katabatic winds?

Answer 1

From Wikipedia:

"A katabatic wind, from the Greek word katabatikosmeaning "going downhill", is the technical name for a drainage wind, a wind that carries high density air from a higher elevation down a slope under the force of gravity."

In Antarctica, katabatic winds swirl down to the beach -- about 750 miles -- from the elevated South Pole, which sits at an elevation of 9,300' (2900m), however the equivalent pressure elevation, based on polar atmospheric conditions, will vary from 10,800 (3300m) to 13,120 (4,000m).

Answer 2

Most of the interior surface winds move over a gentle slope. However, indentations and channels in the landscape can force the airflow to converge, like placing a finger partway over a flowing water hose. This strengthening the effect on air flow that creates what are called katabatic winds.

Answer 3

A katabatic wind is one that is gravity driven. They blow downhill having become denser through cooling, especially at night when heat is lost from the earth's surface. Katabatic winds in Antarctica can reach up to 320 kph.

Answer 4

Katabatic winds, also called downslope winds or gravity winds, flow from the high elevations of mountains, hills or plateaus down their slopes to the valleys below. They occur over slopes that are cooled. Katabatic winds occur where air in contact with sloping ground is colder than air at the same level away from the hillside over the valley. They are generally nocturnal in most parts of the world when there is little cloud or no heating from the sun. They can lead to the formation of frost, mist or fog in the valleys