Chinooks, as you might know, are the downslope winds of the east front of the Rocky Mountains. Due to the change in topography, their morphology is more like the turbulence of a waterfall, with ripples and eddies. Even when they are not as fast as that horrible day, we get these amazing cloud formations, typically called gravity wave clouds, mountain front clouds, or the Boulder cloud. If you have ever flown into Denver at this time of year, you'll know why seat backs go up, trays folded, items stowed, and the cabin secured long before landing.

(This community is working hard to help the 1000 families that lost their homes, but it is going to take years. I drove through there other day on our water run and it was horrific.)

https://www.weather.gov/bou/HighWinds12_30_2021