Calgary’s warm chinook winds are commonly linked to headaches by many individuals, although experts suggest that the precise scientific explanation for this connection remains uncertain. Dr. Serena Orr, a pediatric neurologist and associate professor at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, emphasized the lack of comprehensive understanding regarding pressure and headaches.
A 2000 study published in the medical journal Neurology confirmed the existence of chinook headaches, indicating an increased likelihood of migraines in certain individuals during chinook conditions. Dr. Orr, who specializes in headaches, proposed that altitude and barometric pressure, the force exerted by the atmosphere’s weight, likely play a significant role in this phenomenon.
Calgary, situated at an elevation exceeding 1,040 meters above sea level, stands as one of Canada’s highest-altitude cities. However, while the correlation between altitude and migraine prevalence remains unproven, research on rodents suggests that decreased barometric pressure can induce pain and stress through their inner ear systems.
In a November 2025 study that Dr. Orr contributed to, examining the relationship between chinooks and migraines in youth, no definitive link between the two phenomena was established. This unexpected outcome highlights the necessity for further investigation into the impact of weather parameters on migraine occurrences, particularly in different age groups.
Dr. Toshiyuki Hikita, a medical practitioner in Japan’s Gunma Prefecture, addressed the relationship between barometric pressure and headaches caused by the oroshi winds descending from Mount Akagi. Unlike Calgary’s warm chinooks, these Japanese winds are classified as katabatic, bringing cool air to the region without a proven link to headaches. Hikita also discussed the influence of typhoons on migraine occurrences in Japan, emphasizing the role of weather factors like humidity and rainfall.
Orr intends to conduct additional research on chinooks and headaches, focusing on individual weather parameters like barometric pressure changes to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms. She emphasized the importance of basic science studies involving animals and humans to unravel the complexities of migraine biology, suggesting that weather patterns could offer valuable insights into this area of study.