A Piteraq is a cold Katabatic wind which originates on the Greenlandic icecap and sweeps down to the east coast. Piteraqs are most common in the fall and winter. Wind speeds typically reach 50 to 80 m/s. On February 6, 1970 the community Tasiilaq was hit by very strong Piteraq causing severe damage. Since the beginning of the 1970 special Piteraq warnings are issued by the Danish Meteorological Institute.