Which weather phenomenon is characterized by strong, dry winds flowing down the lee side of a mountain range?

Foehn winds refer to a specific weather phenomenon where strong, dry winds descend from the leeward side of a mountain range. As these winds travel down, they encounter decreasing atmospheric pressure, which causes them to warm and lose moisture. This process contributes to the dry conditions often associated with these winds, making them particularly significant in the context of wildland fire behavior. The presence of foehn winds can exacerbate wildfire intensity and spread by providing a source of dry air and increased wind speeds that can help rapidly advance a fire.

In contrast, cold fronts represent a boundary between cold and warm air masses, which can lead to shifts in weather patterns but do not specifically describe the dry, warming winds characteristic of foehn winds. Thunderstorms involve complex weather systems that can produce precipitation and lightning, but they don't align with the description of dry winds flowing down a mountain. Firewhirls, while related to wildland fires, are localized whirlwinds of hot air and do not refer to the broader wind patterns caused by geographic features like mountains.