Relating to or caused by the flow of cold, dense air moving downward from high elevations, especially in meteorology and weather patterns.
Derived from Greek katabatikos, from katabainein 'to descend.' The term was adapted into meteorology to describe the downward movement of air masses.
Catabatic winds are some of the most dangerous weather phenomena—they can exceed hurricane speeds as cold, heavy air rushes downward from Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, creating deadly conditions that catch sailors and mountaineers by surprise.
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