katabatic

[ kat-uh-bat-ik ]
/ ˌkæt əˈbæt ɪk /

adjective Meteorology.

(of a wind or air current) moving downward or down a slope. Compare anabatic(def 1).

Origin of katabatic

1915–20; < Greek katabatikós pertaining to going down, equivalent to kata- kata- + ba- (stem of baínein to go; see basis) + -tikos -tic

Words nearby katabatic

kasyapa, kat, kata, kata-, katabasis, katabatic, katabolism, katahdin, katakana, katal, katalase

British Dictionary definitions for katabatic

katabatic
/ (ˌkætəˈbætɪk) /

adjective

(of winds) blowing downhill through having become denser with cooling, esp at night when heat is lost from the earth's surface Compare anabatic

Scientific definitions for katabatic

katabatic
[ kăt′ə-băt′ĭk ]

Relating to wind currents that blow down a gradient, especially down the slopes of a mountain or glacier. When air comes in contact with the cool surface of a glacier or the upper regions of a mountain or slope, the air cools, becomes dense, and blows downward. Katabatic winds are usually cool and are especially common at night in polar regions. Compare anabatic.