Santa Ana Winds are similar to Chinook Winds, which are common in Eastern Montana. Both kinds have the same cause, but Santa Ana winds are East Winds and Chinooks are West Winds (that is, coming out of the east and west, respectively). I think the technical term is foehn wind. A foehn wind ... well, this piece from Wikipedia says everything I know about them.
Foehn wind
A föhn wind or foehn wind is a type of dry down-slope wind that occurs in the lee (downwind side) of a mountain range. It is a rain shadow wind that results from the subsequent adiabatic warming of air that has dropped most of its moisture on windward slopes (see orographic lift). As a consequence of the different adiabatic lapse rates of moist and dry air, the air on the leeward slopes becomes warmer than equivalent elevations on the windward slopes. Föhn winds can raise temperatures by as much as 30 °C (54 °F)[1] in just a matter of hours."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foehn_wind
Charles M. Russell, the cowboy artist, was sent out by his boss to assess the cattle mortality after a terrible winter. His report consisted of this painting, called "Waiting For Chinook." My grandma had a wooden carving that duplicated the starving cow perfectly. I think my uncle might have carved it. I sure wish I had that now.
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