westerly

Strong westerly winds “shoved the fire into Wrightwood” when it crossed Highway 2 on Tuesday night, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph, Sherwin said.

Next week, we are back to westerly winds with dry spells and some sunshine, but also showers and longer spells of rain at times, especially in the north and west.

Other research has suggested that these westerlies will strengthen over the next century due to climate change.

As with all longer-range forecasts however, "there remains some risk of a wetter westerly or even north-westerly flow bringing cooler conditions at times".

Until now, it has been believed that intensified westerly winds north of the Amundsen Sea propelled ocean currents along the shelf break, carrying warmer water toward ice shelf cavities.