Venturi effect
The acceleration of wind through a constriction in the terrain or over the top of a hill.
Also known as
- venturi slang
Terms and slang labels apply to this language. Usage may differ in other languages.
What it means
Air speeds up as it squeezes through a col or gap or over a ridge, so it blows harder there than in the surroundings; in a gap the strongest wind is often at the exit rather than the narrowest point. Ridge lift is the upward component of the flow in front of a slope, while the venturi is the same flow speeding up.
Example in context
It looked light down in the field, but the venturi on the ridge top was pulling hard on my wing.
Sources and review
- Flybubble: How to topland safely (opens in a new tab)
- Cross Country: Meteorology – mountain gap winds (Honza Rejmanek) (opens in a new tab)
- Jakub Vrána — Paraglidingový slang: o počasí (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed: