The movement of air that takes place in the troposphere is one of the most frequent natural phenomena. To refer to it we use the word wind. There are basically two types of winds: planetary ones (those that are produced by the earth’s rotation and translation movements) and those that occur in a certain area. Zonda Wind
The zonda is a characteristic wind in the western Argentine territory
It stands out for its high temperature , dryness and intensity. It comes from the mountains and its action descends into flat territory . It is produced by the effect of cold air currents coming from the Pacific Ocean . It is most common between the months of May and November.
When the airflow descends into the flat territory, a large amount of dust is produced in the environment and this circumstance makes visibility difficult. As a general rule, blow more intensely during the afternoon hours and with less force during the early morning or early hours of the day. Like other winds, the zonda is divided into three intensity categories: moderate, severe and very severe. Zonda Wind
Its intensity has effects on the population
The force of this wind causes various damages: ruptures in buildings, falling trees and high voltage cables, interruption of energy supply , damage to plantations, forest fires, etc. When it blows in high mountain areas, it accelerates the snow evaporation process and potentially dangerous avalanches or landslides are likely to occur.
health effects
Ancient Egyptian and Greek physicians already observed that the action of the wind had health consequences. The action of the zonda on health has been rigorously studied. There are many negative effects that this wind can trigger: headache, depressive states and bad mood, it aggravates anxiety disorders and provokes states of panic. Zonda Wind
People with mental disorders are especially sensitive to its effects. On the other hand, zonda can cause respiratory problems, eye infections and skin problems.
Foehn and desert winds are very similar
The Foehn wind is characteristic of the northern Alps. It stands out for its intensity and dryness. It comes from mountainous areas and warms up when descending.
Its effects are as harmful as those of Zonda, as they cause physical and psychological discomfort and also produce all kinds of damage to agriculture and inhabited areas. Zonda Wind
