Piteraq
A piteraq is a cold katabatic wind which originates on the Greenlandic icecap and sweeps down the east coast. The word "piteraq" means "that which attacks you" in the local language.[1] Piteraqs are most common in the autumn and winter. Wind speeds typically reach 50 to 80 m/s (180–288 km/h; 111–178 mph). On February 6, 1970 the community of Tasiilaq was hit by the worst documented piteraq ever in Greenland (estimated at 90 m/s — about 325 km/h or 200 mph) causing severe damage.[2] Since the beginning of 1970 special piteraq warnings are issued by the Danish Meteorological Institute.
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Danish Meteorological Institute, The Observed Climate of Greenland, 1958–99, p. 96
- ^ ibid., pp. 96–98
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