Calgary’s warm chinook winds are often linked to headaches by many individuals, although experts explain that the exact scientific connection remains uncertain. Dr. Serena Orr, a pediatric neurologist and associate professor at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, highlighted the lack of definitive knowledge concerning pressure and headaches.
A study published in Neurology in 2000 confirmed the existence of chinook headaches, revealing an increased susceptibility to migraines in certain individuals during chinook events. Orr, who specializes in headaches, suggested that the association is likely related to altitude and barometric pressure, which is the atmospheric weight force.
Calgary, situated over 1,040 meters above sea level, ranks as a high-altitude location, with the highest elevation among major Canadian cities. However, Orr noted that the correlation between altitude and migraine prevalence has not been conclusively proven.
Research indicates that rodents may experience pain and stress due to barometric pressure changes affecting their inner ear systems. Nevertheless, Orr emphasized that this phenomenon has not been thoroughly investigated in humans.
Although a study conducted in November 2025 by Orr and her team did not establish a link between chinooks and migraines in youth, older studies among adults with migraines have shown a strong relationship between chinook days and migraine attacks. Orr emphasized the need for further research to understand the divergence in findings between studies and the potential impact of individual weather parameters on migraines.
In Japan, Dr. Toshiyuki Hikita, a practitioner in Gunma Prefecture, explained that Japanese researchers have not found a definitive connection between the local oroshi winds and headaches. Hikita mentioned that typhoons, which coincide with drops in barometric pressure, can trigger migraines in headache patients even when the local weather is sunny.
Hikita highlighted the role of weather factors such as humidity and rainfall in triggering headaches, noting that chinooks and oroshi winds differ in their impact on migraines under specific conditions. He emphasized the need for more comprehensive studies to enhance the understanding of migraine biology and its relationship with weather patterns.
Dr. Orr intends to undertake further research on chinooks and headaches, focusing on individual weather parameters like barometric pressure changes. She emphasized the importance of conducting basic science studies involving animals and humans to gain insights into migraine biology and its association with weather patterns.