Wind Names Evert Wesker, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ) Brisa, Briza 1. A northeast wind which blows on the coast of South America or an east wind which blows on Puerto Rico during the trade wind season. 2. The northeast monsoon in the Philippines. Brisote The northeast trade wind when it is blowing stronger than usual on Cuba. Brubu A name for a squall in the East Indies. Bull's Eye Squall A squall forming in fair weather, characteristic of the ocean off the coast of South Africa. It is named for the peculiar appearance of the small isolated cloud marking the top of the invisible vortex of the storm. Cape Doctor The strong southeast wind which blows on the South African coast. Also called the DOCTOR. Caver, Kaver A gentle breeze in the Hebrides. Chinook A type of foehn wind. Refers to the warm downslope wind in the Rocky Mountains that may occur after an intense cold spell when the temperature could rise by 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes. Also known as the Snow Eater.

(Weather Channel Glossary) Chubasco A violent squall with thunder and lightning, encountered during the rainy season along the west coast of Central America. Churada A severe rain squall in the Mariana Islands during the northeast monsoon. They occur from November to April or May, especially from January through March. Cierzo See MISTRAL. Contrastes Winds a short distance apart blowing from opposite quadrants, frequent in the spring and fall in the western Mediterranean. Cordonazo The "Lash of St. Francis." Name applied locally to southerly hurricane winds along the west coast of Mexico. It is associated with tropical cyclones in the southeastern North Pacific Ocean. These storms may occur from May to November, but ordinarily affect the coastal areas most severely near or after the Feast of St. Francis, October 4. Coromell A night land breeze prevailing from November to May at La Paz, near the southern extremity of the Gulf of California. Cyclone A severe tropical storm (i.e., winds >64 knots) in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. See also Hurricane and Typhoon.

The term is also applied to closed circulations in the mid latitudes and also popularly to small scale circulations such as tornadoes. Diablo Northern California version of Santa Ana winds. These winds occur below canyons in the East Bay hills (Diablo range) and in extreme cases can exceed 60 mph. They develop due to high pressure over Nevada and lower pressure along the central California coast. (NWS San Francisco Glossary) Doctor 1. A cooling sea breeze in the Tropics. 2. See HARMATTAN. 3. The strong SE wind which blows on the south African coast. Usually called CAPE DOCTOR. Elephanta A strong southerly or southeasterly wind which blows on the Malabar coast of India during the months of September and October and marks the end of the southwest monsoon. Etesian A refreshing northerly summer wind of the Mediterranean, especially over the Aegean Sea. Euros The Greek name for the rainy, stormy southeast wind. (Glossary of Meteorology) Foehn A warm dry wind on the lee side of a mountain range, whose temperature is increased as the wind descends down the slope.

It is created when air flows downhill from a high elevation, raising the temperature by adiabatic compression. Examples include the Chinook wind and the Santa Ana wind. Classified as a katabatic wind. (Weather Channel Glossary) Fremantle Doctor A cooling seabreeze in Western Australia,often made note of during hot summer-time cricket matches. (Ian Staples, Australia) Gregale A strong northeast wind of the central Mediterranean. Haboob A strong wind and sandstorm (or duststorm) in the northern and central Sudan, especially around Khartum, where the average number is about 24 per year. The name come from the Arabic word, "habb", meaning wind. (Bill Mork, California State Climatologist) Harmattan The dry, dusty trade wind blowing off the Sahara Desert across the Gulf of Guinea and the Cape Verde Islands. Sometimes called the DOCTOR, because of its supposed healthful properties. Hurricane A severe tropical storm (i.e., winds >64 knots) in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Eastern Pacific. The word is believed to originate from the Caribbean Indian storm god "Huracan". See also Typhoon and Cyclone.

Knik Wind A strong southeast wind in the vicinity of Palmer, Alaska, most frequent in the winter. Kona Storm A storm over the Hawaiian Islands, characterized by strong southerly or southwesterly winds and heavy rains. Leste A hot, dry, easterly wind of the Madeira and Canary Islands. Levanter A strong easterly wind of the Mediterranean, especially in the Strait of Gibraltar, attended by cloudy, foggy, and sometimes rainy weather especially in winter. Levantera A persistent east wind of the Adriatic, usually accompanied by cloudy weather. Levanto A hot southeasterly wind which blows over the Canary Islands. Leveche A warm wind in Spain, either a foehn or a hot southerly wind in advance of a low pressure area moving from the Sahara Desert. Called a SIROCCO in other parts of the Mediterranean area. Maestro A northwesterly wind with fine weather which blows, especially in summer, in the Adriatic. It is most frequent on the western shore. This wind is also found on the coasts of Corsica and Sardinia.

Maria A fictional wind popularized in "Paint Your Wagon" (Lerner and Lowe, 1951) and by the Kingston Trio (1959), whose name may have originated with the 1941 book "Storm" by George R. Stewart. (Jan Null, Golden Gate Weather Services) Matanuska Wind A strong, gusty, northeast wind which occasionally occurs during the winter in the vicinity of Palmer, Alaska. Mistral A cold, dry wind blowing from the north over the northwest coast of the Mediterranean Sea, particularly over the Gulf of Lions. Also called CIERZO. See also FALL WIND. Nashi, N'aschi A northeast wind which occurs in winter on the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf, especially near the entrance to the gulf, and also on the Makran coast. It is probably associated with an outflow from the central Asiatic anticyclone which extends over the high land of Iran. It is similar in character but less severe than the BORA. Norte A strong cold northeasterly wind which blows in Mexico and on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. It results from an outbreak of cold air from the north.

It is the Mexican extension of a norther. Nor'easter A northeast wind, particularly a strong wind or gale; an unusually strong storm preceded by northeast winds off the coast of New England. Also called Northeaster. (Glossary of Weather and Climate) Nor'wester This is a very warm wind which can blow for days on end in the province of Canterbury New Zealand. The effect is especially felt in the city of Christchurch. The wind comes in from the Tasman Sea, drys as it rises over the Southern Alps, heats as it decends, crosses the Canterbury Plains, then blows through Christchurch.. (Kerry Fitzpatrick) Norther A cold strong northerly wind in the Southern Plains of the United States, especially in Texas, which results in a drastic drop in air temperatures. Also called a Blue Norther. (Glossary of Weather and Climate) Ostria A warm southerly wind on the Bulgarian coast; considered a precursor of bad weather. (Glossary of Meteorology) Pali A local name for strong winds which blow through the Pali Pass above Honolulu, HI. (Michael Polansky, San Francisco) Pampero A west or southwest wind in Southern Argentina.

This wind (often violently) picks up during the passage of a cold front of an active low passing by. ( Evert Wesker, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ) Papagayo A violent northeasterly fall wind on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua and Guatemala. It consists of the cold air mass of a norte which has overridden the mountains of Central America. See also TEHUANTEPECER. Santa Ana A strong, hot, dry wind blowing out into San Pedro Channel from the southern California desert through Santa Ana Pass. Shamal A summer northwesterly wind blowing over Iraq and the Persian Gulf, often strong during the day, but decreasing at night. Sharki A southeasterly wind which sometimes blows in the Persian Gulf. Sirocco A warm wind of the Mediterranean area, either a foehn or a hot southerly wind in advance of a low pressure area moving from the Sahara or Arabian deserts. Called LEVECHE in Spain. Squamish A strong and often violent wind occurring in many of the fjords of British Columbia. Squamishes occur in those fjords oriented in a northeast-southwest or east-west direction where cold polar air can be funneled westward.

They are notable in Jervis, Toba, and Bute inlets and in Dean Channel and Portland Canal. Squamishes lose their strength when free of the confining fjords and are not noticeable 15 to 20 miles offshore. Suestado A storm with southeast gales, caused by intense cyclonic activity off the coasts of Argentina and Uruguay, which affects the southern part of the coast of Brazil in the winter. Sumatra A squall with violent thunder, lightning, and rain, which blows at night in the Malacca Straits, especially during the southwest monsoon. It is intensified by strong mountain breezes. Sundowner Warm downslope winds that periodically occur along a short segment of the Southern California coast in the vicinity of Santa Barbara. The name refers to their typical onset (on the populated coastal plain) in the late afternoon or early evening, though they can occur at any time of the day. In extreme cases, wind speeds can be of gale force or higher, and temperatures over the coastal plain and even at the coast itself can rise significantly above 37.8 degrees C (100 degrees F).

(Warren Blier, SOO, NWS San Francisco) Taku Wind A strong, gusty, east-northeast wind, occurring in the vicinity of Juneau, Alaska, between October and March. At the mouth of the Taku River, after which it is named, it sometimes attains hurricane force. Tehuantepecer A violent squally wind from north or north-northeast in the Gulf of Tehuantepec (south of southern Mexico) in winter. It originates in the Gulf of Mexico as a norther which crosses the isthmus and blows through the gap between the Mexican and Guatamalan mountains. It may be felt up to 100 miles out to sea. See also PAPAGAYO. Tramontana A northeasterly or northerly winter wind off the west coast of Italy. It is a fresh wind of the fine weather mistral type. Typhoon A severe tropical storm (i.e., winds >64 knots) in the Western Pacific. The word is believed to originate from the Chinese word "ty-fung". See also Hurricane and Cyclone.

Vardar A cold fall wind blowing from the northwest down the Vardar valley in Greece to the Gulf of Salonica. It occurs when atmospheric pressure over eastern Europe is higher than over the Aegean Sea, as is often the case in winter. Also called VARDARAC. Warm Braw A foehn wind in the Schouten Islands north of New Guinea. White Squall A sudden, strong gust of wind coming up without warning, noted by whitecaps or white, broken water; usually seen in whirlwind form in clear weather in the tropics. Williwaw A sudden blast of wind descending from a mountainous coast to the sea, in the Strait of Magellan or the Aleutian Islands. Willy-willy A tropical cyclone (with winds 33 knots or greater) in Australia, especially in the southwest. (Glossary of Weather and Climate) More recent common usage is for dust-devils. Zephyros The ancient Greek name for the west wind, which generally light and beneficial. It has evolved into "zephyr" which denotes a soft gentle breeze.

(Glossary of Meteorology) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Glossary of Meteorology (Ralph Huschke, ed., American Meteorological Society, 1959) Glossary of Weather and Climate (Ira Geer, ed., American Meteorological Society, 1996) Local Winds - Metlink Teaching Weather and Climate Local Winds Contact Local Winds Local winds occur on a small spatial scale, their horizontal dimensions typically several tens to a few hundreds of kilometres. They also tend to be short-lived lasting typically several hours to a day. There are many such winds around the world, some of them cold, some warm, some wet, some dry. There are many hazards associated with the winds. The main types of local winds are: Sea breezes and land breezes, Anabatic and katabatic winds, and Foehn winds. Download wind Factfile with many more winds Anabatic winds This wind is caused by thermal (heat) processes. Anabatic (upslope) winds occur over slopes which are heated by the sun. Air which is in contact with slopes that are warmed expands upward and cool and sinks over neighbouring valleys (see diagram).

Anabatic winds are usually slow, at only 1-2m/s and are rarely importance expect near coasts where they can increase the strength of sea breezes. Katabatic Winds Katabatic (downslope) winds occur over slopes which are cooled. Katabatic winds occur where air in contact with sloping ground is colder than air at the same level away from the hillside over the valley (see diagram below). Katabatic winds are nocturnal phenomena in most parts of the world (i.e. they tend to happen at night) as there is surface cooling, especially when there is little cloud and due to lack of heating by the sun. Katabatic wind speeds do not typically not exceed 3 or 4 m/s. However, where the ground is covered with snow or ice, katabatic winds can occur at any time of day or night with speeds often reaching 10 m/s, or even more if funnelling through narrow valleys occurs. Katabatic winds may lead to the formation of frost, mist and fog in valleys. Sea Breezes Sea breezes are the result of differential heating of the land and the sea. Sea breezes occur by day, when the land becomes warmer than the sea.

Warm air from the land cannot expand into the sea as the air is cooler and more dense, so it expands up into the atmosphere. Cumulus clouds tend to form as the warm air rises over the land to about 500-1500m. The diagram below shows the whole sea breeze process. Air in sea breezes is cool and moist compared to the air over the land. Sea breezes can move 70km inland in temperate climates by 9pm in the evening. Sea breezes can be noticed several kilometres out to sea. In the tropics they can be felt 20km from the land. Wind speeds from sea breezes can be about 4-8m/s but can be even stronger. Land breezes Land breezes occur at night and in the early morning, when the land is cooler than the sea. This is because as the air cools in the night time (as there is less heating from the sun) it contracts. Pressure is higher over the land than the sea. This causes the air to flow from the land to the sea which is known as a land breeze. The circulation is completed by air rising and moving towards the land at 100-300m.

This is shown on the diagram below. Cumulus clouds from where there is rising air. Land sea breeze fronts tend to only affect a small area of 10-15km out to sea, in comparison to the much larger effect of sea breezes. Wind speeds are also lower at 2-3m/s. As well as local winds and local weather phenomena, the following list includes seasonal winds with local names: The Bise A cold dry wind which blows from the north-east, north or north-west in the mountainous regions of southeastern France and western Switzerland in winter months. The bise is accompanied by heavy cloud. The Bora The bora is a strong, cold and gusty north-easterly wind which descends to the Adriatic Sea from the Dinaric Alps, the mountains behind the Dalmatian coast (the coast of Croatia). It is a winter phenomenon that develops when a slow-moving depression is centred over the Plain of Hungary and western Balkans so that winds are blowing from the east towards the Dinaric Alps. These mountains form a barrier which trap the cold air to the east of them whilst the Adriatic coast remains comparatively mild.

Gradually, though, the depth of the cold air increases until the air flows over passes and through valleys to reach the Adriatic Sea. The bora begins suddenly and without warning and the cold air typically descends to the coast so rapidly that it has little time to warm up. The bora can reach speeds of more than 100 km/h and has been known to overturn vehicles and blow people off their feet. The Chinook Wind A warm, westerly wind found in western North America – Canada and the USA, when air from the Pacific blows over the Rocky Mountains and other upland areas. On January 15th, 1972, the Chinook caused the temperature in Lorna, Montana to rise from -48°C to 9°C in 24 hours! The fastest wind speed recorded during a Chinook was 107mph, in Alberta, Canada. The Crachin The name given to the drizzly weather with low stratus, mist or fog which occurs from time to time during the period January to April over the China Sea and in coastal areas between Shanghai and Cape Cambodia.

It occurs when cool, moist air from the north encounters warm, moist air, and it is intensified by orographic lifting and/or by coastal convergence. The Etesians/meltemi The strong northerly winds which blow at times over the Aegean Sea and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea during the period May to October. The winds are known as meltemi in Turkey. The Föhn (or foehn) The Föhn is a warm, dry, gusty wind which occurs over the lower slopes on the lee side (the side which is not directly exposed to wind and weather) of a mountain barrier. It is a result of forcing stable air over a mountain barrier. The onset of a Föhn is generally sudden. For example, the temperature may rise more than 10°C in five minutes and the wind strength increase from almost calm to gale force just as quickly. Föhn winds occur quite often in the Alps (where the name föhn originated) and in the Rockies (where the name chinook is used). They also occur in the Moray Firth and over eastern parts of New Zealand’s South Island. In addition, they occur over eastern Sri Lanka during the south-west monsoon.

The danger of a Föhn where there are steep snow-covered slopes is that avalanches may result from the sudden warming and blustery conditions. In Föhn conditions, relative humidity may fall to less than 30%, causing vegetation and wooden buildings to dry out. This is a long-standing problem in Switzerland, where so many fire disasters have occurred during Föhn conditions that fire-watching is obligatory when a Föhn is blowing. An explanation of the Föhn effect in the UK from BBC weather . The Gregale (or grigale)/ euroclydon/ euraquilo A notorious wind of the western Mediterranean which also blows across central parts of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a strong and cold wind from the north-east and occurs mainly in winter. It is most pronounced on the island of Malta, where it sometimes reaches hurricane force and endangers shipping. The Bible tells us that the ship which carried St Paul and other prisoners across the Mediterranean en route to Rome was driven by a storm from Crete to Malta, where it was eventually wrecked.

The ship set sail from a bay called Fair Havens near Lasea on the south coast of Crete, having put into this bay to wait for favourable conditions after being delayed by contrary winds. As the bay was exposed to storms, it was not considered a safe place to remain at the time of year in question, which was either late September or early October. The harbour at Phoenix on the south-western coast of Crete was considered a safer place to spend the winter. Soon after the ship left Fair Havens, however, a severe gale began to blow. So violent was the storm that the sailors could do no more than drift with the wind. The Bible tells us that the ship reached Malta fourteen days later. Paul experienced a gregale. As these winds normally last no more than four or five days, the storm he experienced appears to have been unusually persistent. The Harmattan A dry and comparatively cool wind which blows from the east or north-east on the coast of North Africa between Cabo Verde and the Gulf of Guinea during the dry season (November to March). It brings dust and sand from the Sahara Desert, often in sufficient quantity to form a thick haze which hinders navigation on rivers.

Dust and sand are sometimes carried many hundreds of kilometres out to sea. The Helm Wind An easterly wind found in Cumbria, N. England, where the winds blow over Cross Fell and then descend into the Eden Valley. A bank of cloud forms over the hill tops, and the roaring of the wind can be heard as far away as Penrith. The Kaus/Suahili The name given to the south-easterly winds which prevail in winter (December to April) in the Persian Gulf. They are accompanied by gloomy weather, rain and squalls and are sometimes followed by very strong south-westerly winds called suahili. The Khamsin A hot, dry, dust-laden, southerly wind over Egypt, the Red Sea and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea ahead of eastward-moving depressions. It occurs during the period February to June, being most frequent in March and April. The Khamsin is a Sirocco wind, whose name comes from the Arabic word for ‘fifty’, which is approximately the length of time the wind blows for. In the nineteenth Century, the plague was worst in Egypt when the Khamsin was blowing.

The Kharif A strong south-westerly wind which blows daily over the Gulf of Aden from about 22:00 hours until about noon the following day. It occurs in June, July and August (during the south-west monsoon) and frequently reaches gale force. The Leste A hot, dry, southerly wind which occurs in winter and spring between Madeira and Gibraltar and along the coast of North Africa ahead of an advancing depression. The Levanter A moist wind which blows from the east over the Strait of Gibraltar. It is frequently accompanied by haze or fog and may occur at any time of year, though it is most common in the period June to October. A feature is the occurrence of a ‘banner cloud’ extending a kilometre or more downwind from the summit of the Rock of Gibraltar. The strength of the Levanter does not normally exceed Beaufort Force 5. When it is strong, however, complex and vigorous atmospheric eddies form in the lee of the Rock, causing difficult conditions for yachtsmen and the pilots of aircraft. The levanter can also cause persistently foggy weather on the coast of Spain.

The Levenche A hot, dry, southerly wind which blows on the south-east coast of Spain ahead of an advancing depression. It is typically laden with sand and dust, and its approach is often heralded by a belt of brownish cloud on the southern horizon. The Libeccio A strong, squally, south-westerly wind which occurs over central parts of the Mediterranean Sea, most common in winter. The Maestro The name given to north-westerly winds over the Adriatic Sea, the Ionian Sea and coastal regions of Sardinia and Corsica. The Marin A strong south-easterly wind over the Golfe du Lion. It is usually accompanied by warm, cloudy weather with rain. The Mistral The mistral is also a strong and often violent wind. It blows from the north or north-west down the Rhône Valley of southern France and across the Rhône Delta to the Golfe du Lion and sometimes beyond. Though strongest and most frequent in winter, it may blow at any time of year and develops when stable air is forced through the Rhône Valley.

It occurs when a depression is centred over north-west Italy and the Ligurian Sea and a ridge of high pressure extends north-eastward across the Bay of Biscay. It may blow continuously for a day or two and attain speeds of 100 km/h, causing considerable damage to crops and making driving conditions difficult in the Rhône Valley. It clears clouds and pollution out of the air. In the Rhone valley in France, trees lean to the South because of the force of the Mistral. The Norther This name for a wind is used in more than one place. In Chile, a Norther is a northerly gale with rain. It usually occurs in winter but occasionally occurs at other times of year. Typically, it can be identified by falling air pressure, a cloudy or overcast sky, good visibility and water levels below normal along the coast. Over the Gulf of Mexico and western parts of the Caribbean Sea, Northers are strong, cool, northerly winds which blow mainly in winter. Over the Gulf of Mexico, they are sometimes humid and accompanied by precipitation, but over the Gulf of Tehuantepec they are dry winds.

Pampero The name given to severe line squalls in Argentina and Uruguay, particularly in the Rio de la Plata area. They are associated with marked cold fronts and are usually accompanied by rain, thunder and lightning, a sharp drop in temperature and a sudden change of wind direction from northerly or northwesterly to southerly or south-westerly. They are most likely to occur during the period June to September. Roaring forties Strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere between 40 and 50 degrees South. Sailing ships have always made use of them. The winds are much stronger in the Southern Hemisphere because there is very little land to slow them down – only Tasmania, New Zealand and the very bottom of South America. The Santa Ana A hot, dry, strong, blustery, föhn-type wind which blows from the north-east or east over southern California and carries with it large quantities of dust. It is most frequent in winter but may also occur in spring or autumn. It may get its name from the Santa Ana Mountains or the Santa Ana Canyon but other possibilities are that it derives from santanas, meaning ‘devil winds’, or the Spanish Satanás, meaning Satan.

These winds can cause a great deal of damage. As they are hot and dry, they cause vegetation to dry out, so increasing the risk of wildfires; and once fires start the winds fan the flames and hasten the spread of the fires. In spring, Santa Ana winds can cause considerable damage to fruit trees. Shamal Strictly, the shamal is any north-westerly wind over the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, but the term usually refers not to the normal prevailing winds but to the squally gale-force winds accompanied by rain and thunder which occur in winter. The Scirocco/ Sirocco A hot, dry wind southerly wind which blows from the Sahara in northern Africa into the southern Mediterranean. It picks up moisture as it crosses the Mediterranean and can reach Spain, France, Italy and Greece bringing Saharan dust and hot, windy, damp weather, often with fog or low stratus cloud. In spring, the Sirocco can bring gale force winds. There are many local names for the Sirocco, including chom, arifi, Simoom, Ghibli, Chili, Khamsin, Solano, Leveche, Marin and Jugo.

The Solano An easterly or south-easterly wind, with rain, which occurs in the Strait of Gibraltar and over south-eastern coasts of Spain. Southerly-buster The name given to the violent squalls which are associated with well-defined active cold fronts over coastal regions of southern and south-eastern Australia. They are accompanied by lightning, thunder and gale-force winds and are similar to pamperos. They are most frequent in summer but may also occur in spring and autumn. Sumatra These are characteristically squally local winds which occur over the Malacca Strait several times a month during the period April to November. They are always accompanied by heavy rain from cumulonimbus clouds and are almost always accompanied by lightning and thunder. They are initiated by katabatic winds and therefore tend to occur at night. Tehuantepecer A violent squally wind from the north or north-east in the Gulf of Tehuantepec in winter. It originates in the Gulf of Mexico as a norther and blows across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The Trade wind Easterly winds in the Tropics (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn).

The Trade winds helped European explorers reach America. Tramontana A cold, dry, northerly or north-westerly wind over the coast of Catolina and a cold, dry northerly or north-easterly wind over the west coast of Italy and the north coast of Corsica. It is typically a strong wind but does not often reach gale force. The Vendavales Strong, squally, south-westerly winds off the east coast of Spain and in the Strait of Gibraltar. They occur mainly during the period September to March and are often accompanied by violent squalls, heavy rain and thunderstorms. Williwaw A sudden, cold, violent wind found in Alaska and Cape Horn which blows from the mountains to the sea. Willy-Willy 21 Wonderful Words for Wind | Mental Floss 21 Wonderful Words for Wind Thinkstock Like us on Facebook Air molecules are always moving around us. When we can feel this movement, we call it wind.

If we want to get a little more specific about the strength of the wind, we can talk about gentle breezes and zephyrs, or forceful gusts and gales—but geographers and climatologists have an additional goody bag full of wonderful wind words that get even more specific about what’s going on with those air molecules and where they’re coming from. Here are 21 names for the wind. 1. Bise A cold, dry wind from the north or northeast funneled over the Alps into southern France and Switzerland by pressure differences. 2. Mistral A cold wind that blows over the northwest Mediterranean coast when pressure differences funnel it through the Rhone valley. 3. Bora A cold, very strong, dry wind on the coast of the Adriatic Sea and northern Italy occurring when pressure is high over the Balkans and low over the Mediterranean. 4. Brickfielder A summer wind in southeastern Australia that brings hot air from the outback to the cooler regions. Named either for the red dust it used to spread over Sydney from local brickworks, or the fact that it turned the soil as hard as bricks. 5. Southerly Buster A cold wind from the south that follows the Brickfielder. 6.

Buran A strong north-easterly wind in Siberia and Central Asia that is hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. It’s called the purga in the Arctic tundra and the burga in Alaska. 7. Sirocco A hot, dry, dusty wind that moves air from the Sahara into northern Africa and Italy. Over the Mediterranean it picks up moisture and becomes humid. Caused by a band of low pressure moving east across the southern Mediterranean. 8. Khamseen The Sirocco in Egypt. It’s the word for 50. The wind is said to blow for 50 days. 9. Gibli The Sirocco in Malta. Pronounced “shlok.” 11. Föhn wind A föhn wind draws air up one side of a mountain, where it cools and sheds its moisture as precipitation, and then warms as it compresses coming down the other side of the mountain. 12. Chinook A Föhn wind that carries warmed air down the Rocky Mountains and quickly raises the temperature in the valley below. Cattle grazing depends on it because it melts the snow. 13.

Moazagoatl A Föhn wind that moves over the Sudeten Mountains into Germany and Poland. Apparently from a dialectal version of Matz, the surname of a shepherd who first identified its telltale cloud formation in the mountains. 14. Zonda A Föhn wind that blows eastward over the Andes in Argentina. 15. Samoon A hot, whirling wind in the Sahara and Arabian Desert that plays a role in reshaping dunes; it can move vast quantities of sand. From the Arabic for “poison.” 16. Etesians The annual strong summer winds in the Aegean Sea resulting from a low pressure trough in Asia that is part of Monsoon storm systems. Also called “meltemi” in Greek and Turkish. 17. Shamal The summer low pressure areas in Asia also cause this northwesterly wind in Iraq that whips up sand and dust. 18. Trade winds These winds blow from the northeast in the northern hemisphere and the southeast in the southern hemisphere toward low pressure regions along the equator. They are reliable enough to plan trade routes around. 19. Tehuantepecer Strong winds in Mexico due to high pressure over North America.

They are intensified as they blow through mountain gaps such as the one at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. 20. Williwaw A stormy, cold wind that blows down the mountains in Alaska. 21. Willy-willy A local whirling wind in Australia that raises small columns of dirt, or dust devils, from the ground. Mistral | Article about mistral by The Free Dictionary Mistral | Article about mistral by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Acronyms , Wikipedia . mistral 1. a strong cold dry wind that blows through the Rh?ne valley and S France to the Mediterranean coast, mainly in the winter 2. the class of board used in international windsurfing competitions, weighing 15kg and measuring 372cm × 64cm Mistral 1. Fr?d?ric . 1830--1914, French Proven?al poet, who led a movement to revive Proven?al language and literature: shared the Nobel prize for literature 1904 2. Gabriela , pen name of Lucila Godoy de Alcayaga.

1889--1957, Chilean poet, educationalist, and diplomatist. Her poetry includes the collection Desolaci?n (1922): Nobel prize for literature 1945 Mistral a strong, cold northwest wind, which sometimes blows from the Cevennes to the Mediterranean coast of France. It is felt near the mouth of the Rhone River between the cities of Montpelier and Toulon. The mistral occurs in all seasons, but particularly in the winter. It is similar to the bora. mistral The Winds of France The Winds of France A guide to the different winds in France and the areas they affect Wonderful French weather The weather is one of the most common reasons given by Brits for holidaying in or moving to live in France. "It's sunnier" they say. (Generally true, even in the north of the country.) "It's warmer than Britain." (Also, generally true, and especially markedly so in the south of France.) Yes, France as a whole enjoys better weather than the UK.

In the north-west and down the west coast, the Gulf Stream brings a very appealing mild climate, while in the south, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the sun shines from a brilliantly blue sky, kissing our skins to gold and raising spirits. Even the more centrally located regions such as Poitou-Charentes ( Poitou-Charentes Property Guide ) enjoy a high degree of sunshine for much of the year. The mountain peaks, snow-capped in winter, still seem bathed in sunshine more often than not, and in summer offer some of the sunniest and most delightful conditions imaginable. ( Weather in France .) Where the winds blow? However, there is another factor to the weather that affects France, and that is the winds that blow from east to west, from north to south, from south to north and west to east, sometimes, seemingly, all at once! There are winds that rattle around in corridors between mountains, winds that blast the Mediterranean shores and winds that bellow across the Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes, in hot, high summer, the winds are soft and warm, and bring a pleasant relief from the overpowering heat, but in winter they can be devastating, icy cold and destructive.

Winds are given names We live with the winds that blow in our chosen areas, of course, we have no choice except to move, which most of us don't want to do, but "Oh this blooming wind, when will it stop?" is a commonly heard grumble. The winds that blow across France are often given names, a custom dating back to ancient times, and which personalises the winds, making them seem like old friends, or even, sometimes, enemies. Provence and the mighty Mistral The best known wind of them all, one which is a household name even in Britain, where it does not blow, is the Mistral. The area most affected by this wind, whose name means "masterly", which indeed it is, is the otherwise golden land of Provence ( Provence-Alpes-Cï¿½te d'Azur Property Guide ), in the south-east of the country between the Alps ( Alps property ) and the Mediterranean Sea. Parts of eastern Languedoc ( Languedoc-Roussillon Property Guide ) can also feel its effects. The Mistral blows mostly in spring and winter, but it does occur at times throughout the year and can last for anything from a day to over a week.

Wind speeds of up to 90 miles per hour have been recorded. The different forms of the Mistral The Mistral wind comes in two forms, known as the Mistral Blanc, or White Mistral, and the Mistral Noir, the Black Wind. Additionally, you may become acquainted with a third Mistral, the Summer Mistral, but this wind has different origins from the more violent winds better known Blanc and Noir. The Mistral Blanc The Mistral Blanc is usually associated with brilliantly blue skies and dry, sunny conditions. Much as it is vilified by the inhabitants of Provence, it is actually the driving force behind the legendary sunny climate and azure skies enjoyed there, as its power clears the skies of clouds and dust and dries the atmosphere. It creates a luminous clarity to the air, bringing a pollution free environment and good health to the people, and inspiration to countless generations of artists. The Mistral Noir The Mistral Noir is a different matter. Whereas the White Mistral is a dry wind, the Black Mistral brings rain and clouds. It is less common than the Mistral Blanc, and this is why the Mistral is generally believed to bring dry conditions.

The Summer Mistral The Summer Mistral originates in a different way from its brothers. It occurs when inland Provence experiences a thermal depression, caused by the summer hot earth. It affects only a small area and usually lasts for just a few hours, but can be a devastating accelerator of forest fires. The Baby Mistral - La Bise The Mistral can have its origins in the wind known as La Bise. A very hot, dry wind, it is called by this name at the beginning of its journey down through the Rhone valley, where it reaches Provence and becomes the Mistral. Buildings adapted to cope with the Mistral The Mistral is such a feature of Provenï¿½al life that it has created many dominant architectural features such as bell towers of churches formed with open frames made of iron or iron grill work, specifically to allow the wind to pass through without damaging the structure. The traditional large Mas houses ( Property in France - Types of houses in France ), which belonged to wealthy landowners, were constructed to face south, not in an attempt to keep a sunny aspect, as in Britain, but to keep the Mistral away from the front door and behind the house.

Even going back to some 400,000 years BC, the Mistral had a bearing on the population of Provence, and there is evidence to show that early man built his fireplaces protected by rock walls to prevent the Mistral from blowing them out or from spreading the fire beyond control. Landscapes and plants carefully thought about The landscapes are also affected in another way, as even the trees and plants of the region have to cope with the Mistral. Rows of elegant cypress trees are not planted so much as a distinctive, decorative feature, but are grown to create barriers against the wind, while even smaller plants have to be chosen for their ability cope with extremely dry conditions. Fires are another problem in summer, as the strong winds blow across an already tinder dry land, spreading fires faster than man can quell the flames. The sun and the wind combine to create a very dry earth, and delicate, moisture loving plants are simply wind-whipped to death or frazzled by the heat.

The Mistral has been around for a long time The effects of the Mistral on Provenï¿½al life are also shown through popular culture, with a traditional Christmas crib figure, that of the shepherd, being depicted in the region as being bent almost double, battling against the might of the Mistral. The wind is also mentioned in many literary works. What causes the Mistral? The Mistral is created when the high pressure in the Atlantic meets the low pressure of the area round Genoa. Pulling in cold air from the north, the wind gains speed as it is pressed between the Cevennes Mountains of the Languedoc and the Alps ( Rhône-Alpes Property Guide ) of eastern France. The Rhone Valley forms a corridor down which the force of the Mistral can only grow, affecting the land from Lyon ( Lyon Property Guide ) to Marseille ( Marseille Property Guide ), and working its way south-east along the Côte-d'Azur. Protected areas There are, however, parts of Provence on the Mediterranean Coast that are fortunate enough not to suffer badly from the effects of the Mistral.

Nice ( Nice Property Guide ), Cannes ( Cannes Property Guide ) and Monaco ( Monaco Property Guide ), on the French Riviera, have their own micro climates where the protective barrier of the Alps prevents the wind from having its effect on the climate, giving a much calmer, gentler weather throughout the year. Winters here are delightfully mild, with a marked absence of wind. ( French Riviera Property - an insider's guide .) Languedoc - the windiest region of all The Languedoc, or Languedoc-Roussillon ( Languedoc-Roussillon Property - an insider's guide ), in the centre south of France, is the windiest region of them all. As mentioned previously, its eastern parts catch the westerly end of the Mistral, while the region as a whole is affected by an awesome collection of winds from all points of the compass. The Languedoc is often said to be one of France's sunniest regions, and this is indeed true, partly again due to the cleansing qualities of the wind upon the air. The Tramontane The dominant wind of the Languedoc region is the Tramontane.

The Tramontane is powerful, dry and cold, and blows from the north or the northwest. It gathers its speed and power in the same way as the Mistral does, passing through the narrow corridor between the Pyrénéan Mountains and the Massif Central, and being created by the meeting of the high pressure from the Atlantic with the low pressure of the Mediterranean in the Golfe de Lion. Areas of the Languedoc affected by the Tramontane The areas of France most affected by the Tramontane are the Languedoc Littoral, that is, the coastal areas of the Languedoc all the way along the west to Spain, and the inland areas of the Hérault ( Hï¿½rault Property Guide ), the Pyrénées-Orientales ( Pyrénées-Orientales Property Guide ) and the southern Aude ( Aude Property Guide ). In certain areas, notably the eastern Languedoc and the western regions of Provence, the Tramontane can merge with the Mistral.

The Marin - affecting inland areas most The next most prevalent wind that blows in France is the Marin, or Marine Wind, and this is another which blows upon the coast of the Languedoc. The warm yet damp or wet conditions carried by the Marin bring cloud and rain, particularly to the hilly or mountainous areas inland. The coast suffers less from the wet weather of the Marin, for although it feels the wind, the clouds have often been dispersed before the Marin arrives at the sea. The Cers - glorious sunsets are a warning it is on its way Next on the list of the Languedoc's famous winds is the Cers, which affects the area of the Languedoc on the Mediterranean coast near to Narbonne ( Narbonne Property Guide ). Dry and cold in winter, the Cers becomes hot and dry in summer, and is created by the cool, damp air of the Atlantic being forced down from Toulouse ( Toulouse Property Guide ) through the plains of the Lauragais. Thus, it is the Aude that suffers most from this wind, as it travels from Toulouse to the sea.

It is an interesting fact that the glorious sunsets often seen in this area, deep red and stunning to behold, are actually a harbinger of the Cers, so enjoy the sunset while it happens but batten down the hatches before you go to bed, the Cers is on the way! The Sirocco and the Levant Another famous wind is the Sirocco. The Sirocco focuses most of its attentions on North Africa, but its effects can sometimes be felt in south-western France, and certainly in Spain. The last of the major winds that hit the benighted Languedoc is the Levant. This one is hot and damp, and blows across the Mediterranean from the south-east. It also affects Provence. Other areas of France affected by winds It is known that the Mediterranean areas of France receive a lot of wind, and the Med areas are certainly the ones where the best known named winds blow, but most of France can find itself battered by strong winds at least a few times every year. Apart from the south, the windiest areas tend to be those near to the North Sea, where the North Wind comes whistling across the channel from the UK!

The Atlantic Coast ( The French Atlantic Coast from Biarritz to Southern Brittany ) down the west of France, generally enjoys a less windy, mild climate, due to the Oceanic influences. This doesn't always hold true, however, as occasionally, as in January 2009, the south-west regions of France can find themselves in the eye of a real storm. This one, reaching hurricane-like proportions, destroyed trees, plants and even houses throughout the south-west, with the Landes ( Landes Property Guide ) being the worst hit. Madness and the wind It isn't just the moon that causes madness, or so they say in this part of the world. When we moved to the Languedoc we were warned against buying a house in the Lauragais (the plain that lies in the Aude department between Carcassonne ( Carcassonne Property Guide ) and the Montagne Noir) as we were told, "There is a wind there that drives men and horses mad." We didn't listen. "How bad can it be?" we thought.

In fact, the house we bought, and in which we have lived in for some seven years at the time of writing, lies in what are known locally as "Les Collines du Vent." This, in case you are not aware, translates to "The Windy Hills". Time to take care when the wind blows Most of the time, the weather is magnificent, but when the wind blows there is not a storm peg ever created that can keep the washing on the line, nor a fixing made that can keep the rush roofing from blowing off the pergola. As for driving men and horses mad, well, we retain our sanity, although I would certainly not risk my life by taking the horses out for a ride in the hills when the wind is blowing! Windmills are a clue! The windiest areas sport windmills ( French Mills ), both of the old variety, once used to grind corn and other grains and which are now much in demand for renovation to desirable homes, and of the new variety, which generate electricity in a manner suited to an environmentally conscious age. Called ï¿½olienne, these modern windmills are quite a feature of many areas of France, where the application of alternative energy is taken seriously.

They offer an obvious clue to the status of the winds in the areas in which they exist, and therefore the advice to potential house buyers would be that if you don't like the wind, don't move to a windmill rich area! Additional articles which may be of interest: Property in the south of France About the author Joanna Simm moved to the Languedoc area of south-west France in October 2004 having found her property through French Property Links. your comments... 1. A visitor to the site provides information on the Autan wind (added 28/12/13)... Very interesting article. I think you also need to mention the Autan wind, however. It is the counterwind to the Tramontane and it is the most violent wind of the Toulouse area. It can blow for days at a time at 100km/h at its worst. It is especially violent in the Lauragais region. This site gives you good background and readings on the two winds: More background at French wikipedia: And lastly info on the Vent d'autan in the Lauragais: Do you know this subject better than we do? Do you have photos relating to this subject?

If you have photos or information that you'd like to add to this page (or if you've spotted something we've got wrong) then please enter your comments and/or select your photos and click "Send". (If you're sending photos please don't forget to mention the location!): If your upload form doesn't display within a few seconds, please check the FAQ or contact us at hello@uploadthingy.com. We'd love to help out! Featured Properties Mediterannian Winds - Can SikiOnka Mediterannian Winds The Tramontane (Catalan: tramuntana): is a strong, dry cold wind from the north (on the Mediterranean) or from the northwest (in lower Languedoc, Roussillon, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands). It is similar to the mistral in its causes and effects, but it follows a different corridor; the tramontane accelerates as it passes between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central, while the mistral flows down the Rhone Valley between the Alps and the Massif Central.

The tramontane is created by the difference of pressure between the cold air of a high pressure system over the Atlantic ocean or northwest Europe and a low pressure system over the Gulf of Lion in the Mediterranean. The high-pressure air flows south, gathering speed as moves downhill and is funneled between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. The Mistral (Catalan: Mestral) is a strong, cold and usually dry regional wind in France, coming from the north or northwest, which accelerates when it passes through the valleys of the Rhone and the Durance Rivers to the coast of the Mediterranean around the Camargue region.It affects the northeast of the plain of Languedoc and Provence to the east of Toulon, where it is felt as a strong west wind. It has a major influence all along the Mediterranean coast of France, and often causes sudden storms in the Mediterranean between Corsica and the Balearic Islands. The mistral is usually accompanied by clear and fresh weather, and it plays an important role in creating the climate of Provence. It can reach speeds of more than ninety kilometers an hour, particularly in the Rhone Valley.

Its average speed during the day can reach about fifty kilometers an hour, calming noticeably at night. The mistral usually blows during the winter and spring, though it occurs in all seasons. It sometimes lasts only one or two days, frequently lasts several days, and sometimes lasts more than a week. In the south of France the name comes from the Languedoc dialect of the Provencal language and means “masterly”. The Ponente (Catalan: Ponent) is the traditional cardinal point West, more specifically a wind that blows from the west. The name is derived from the Latin via Italian for “setting”, meaning sunset, and appeared by that name in the traditional compass rose on the Mediterranean Sea nautical charts since the Middle Ages. Regional variations include the Catalan “ponent” and the Spanish “poniente”, which is the name for the warm and dry westerly breeze that emanates from the Straits of Gibraltar along the west Mediterranean coast. The libeccio (Catalan: Llebeig or Garbí) is the westerly or south-westerly wind which predominates in northern Corsica all year round; it frequently raises high seas and may give violent westerly squalls.

In summer it is most persistent, but in winter it alternates with the Tramontane (north-east or north). The word libeccio is Italian, coming from Greek through Latin, and originally means “Libyan”. The Ostro (Catalan: Migjorn) is the traditional Italian name of a southerly wind in the Mediterranean Sea, especially the Adriatic. Its name is derived from the Latin name Auster, which also meant a southerly wind and is part of the etymology of Australia. It is described as a warm and humid wind that often carries rain, but it is also sometimes identified with the Libeccio and Scirocco. The Sirocco, scirocco, (Catalan: Xaloc pronounced “shaLOC”) is a Mediterranean wind that comes from the Sahara and reaches hurricane speeds in North Africa and Southern Europe. It is derived from the North African Arabic word for south qibli, etymologically derived from the word “qibla”.The sirocco reaching the south of France is much dryer than the marin, which is a warm, humid wind also moving to the northwest.

The Xaloc usually carries red Sahara dust and is associated with storms and heavy rain, the wind being very strong, lasting about four days. It arises from a warm, dry, tropical air mass that is pulled northward by low-pressure cells moving eastward across the Mediterranean Sea, with the wind originating in the Arabian or Sahara deserts.The hotter, drier continental air mixes with the cooler, wetter air of the maritime cyclone, and the counter-clockwise circulation of the low propels the mixed air across the southern coasts of Europe. The Levant (Catalan: Llevant) is an easterly wind that blows in the western Mediterranean Sea and southern France, an example of mountain-gap wind. In the western Mediterranean, particularly when the wind blows through the Strait of Gibraltar, it is called the Viento de Levante or the Levanter. It is also known as the Solano. When blowing moderately or strongly, the levant causes heavy swells on the Mediterannean. Usually gentle and damp, the levant frequently brings clouds and rain. When it brings good weather, it is known as the “levant blanc“.

The origin of the name is the same as the origin of the Levant, the region of the eastern Mediterranean: it is the Middle French word “levant”, the participle of lever “to raise” — as in soleil levant “rising sun” — from the Latin levare. It thus referred to the Eastern direction of the rising sun. The Gregale (Catalan: Gregal) is a Mediterranean wind that can occur during times when a low pressure area moves through the area to the south of Malta and causes a strong, cool, northeasterly wind to affect the island. It also affects other islands of the Western Mediterranean. The name derives from the Italian grecale, which refers to the island of Zakynthos, in Greece. This is likely to be the Euroclydon storm, from Greek Euros (east) and kludo (billow, surge) or Latin Aquilo (north) “northeaster” or the island Clauda (Acts 27:16), which wrecked the apostle Paul’s ship on the coast of Malta on his way to Rome (Acts 27:14).

Mistrals | Article about mistrals by The Free Dictionary Mistrals | Article about mistrals by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Wikipedia . mistral 1. a strong cold dry wind that blows through the Rh?ne valley and S France to the Mediterranean coast, mainly in the winter 2. the class of board used in international windsurfing competitions, weighing 15kg and measuring 372cm × 64cm Mistral 1. Fr?d?ric . 1830--1914, French Proven?al poet, who led a movement to revive Proven?al language and literature: shared the Nobel prize for literature 1904 2. Gabriela , pen name of Lucila Godoy de Alcayaga. 1889--1957, Chilean poet, educationalist, and diplomatist. Her poetry includes the collection Desolaci?n (1922): Nobel prize for literature 1945 Mistral a strong, cold northwest wind, which sometimes blows from the Cevennes to the Mediterranean coast of France.

It is felt near the mouth of the Rhone River between the cities of Montpelier and Toulon. The mistral occurs in all seasons, but particularly in the winter. It is similar to the bora. mistral Mediterranean Sailing, Cruising, Navigation. Mediterranean Winds. Mediterranean Sailing, Cruising top LOCAL MEDITERRANEAN WINDS Levanter : An easterly wind through the Straits of Gibraltar and between Spain and Morocco. It is usually a light or moderate wind bringing with it excessive moisture, heavy dew, local cloud, and thick muggy atmosphere and sometimes rain. It may occur at any time of the year, but is most frequent from July to October and in March and seldom blows with gale force. Vendavales : The vendavales are strong south-westerly winds which occur in the Strait of Gibraltar and the region off the east coast of Spain. They are associated with advancing depressions of late autumn to early spring; they are usually introduced by, and are liable to be interspersed with, thunderstorms and violent squalls.

Leveche : This is a dry, scorching, sand- and dust-laden wind from between south-east and south-west, peculiar to the south-east coast of Spain between Almeria and Valencia; it extends only a few miles inland, and occurs in front of an advancing depression. Levantades : Gales from between north-north-east and east-north-east are the most important gales of the east coast of Spain. They are known locally as llevantades, and are an intense form of the llevante or levante, i.e., north-easterly winds of long fetch, as opposed to diurnal coastal breezes. These gales are most frequent and dangerous in spring and autumn (February to May and October to December), and are generally associated with slow-moving depressions crossing the Mediterranean between France and Algeria. Mistral : A strong northerly wind in the Gulf of Lions and Rhone Valley. The air is usually dry, bringing bright and clear weather with freezing temperatures to the south of France. The Mistral often reaches gale force especially in winter and is capable of raising a heavy sea in a short space of time.

Bora : Occurs along the eastern shore of the Northern Adriatic and is similar in some respects to the Mistral. It is a NE wind occurring chiefly in winter, when it may attain gale force. Violent gusts and squalls, sometimes reaching 100 knots, occur on the eastern side of the Adriatic constituting a danger to shipping, especially as they often set in with little or no warning. Scirocco : A southerly wind moving eastwards in the Mediterranean, in advance of a low pressure system. It often extends to the Adriatic where it may reach gale force, often accompanied by heavy rain. The local Libyan name for this wind is Ghibli (or Chibli). Gregale : A strong NE wind of the central and west Mediterranean areas, occurring chiefly during the cold seasons. It may blow continuously up to five days, but usually lasts one or two days, bringing fine or showery weather with some hail. Fohn: A warm dry wind experienced to leeward of high mountain ridges, such as the Northern Alps and the Andes.

Moisture-laden winds are forced to ascend the slopes, thus becoming saturated and undergoing a reduction of temperature at the SALR of about 3ï¿½F per 1000 feet. Cloud is formed and heavy precipitation occurs on the windward side. The wind then descends on the leeward side and undergoes an increase of temperature at the DALR of about 5^ ï¿½ F. per feet. It blows, therefore, as a warm and very dry wind. On the eastern side of the Canadian Rockies the same type of wind is known as the Chinook. Marin : This is a strong wind in the Gulf of Lions blowing from a south-easterly direction, and is next in frequency and importance to the mistral in this region. It is generally warm, moist and cloudy, with rain and thick weather, and is associated with depressions which enter the Gulf of Lions from the west or south-west after traversing southern France and northern Spain. Libeccio : The libeccio is the westerly or south-westerly wind which predominates in northern Corsica all the year round; it frequently raises high seas and may give violent westerly squalls.

In summer it is most persistent, but in winter it alternates with the tramontana (north-east or north). Tramontana: This is a local name for a north-easterly or northerly wind which in winter is prominent on the west coast of Italy and fairly prevalent off the north of Corsica. It is a fresh wind of the fine-weather mistral type, and does not often reach gale force. It is associated with a depression over the Adriatic simultaneously with an anticyclone further west. Maestro: The maestro is the name given to a north-westerly wind which blows in summer in the Adriatic when pressure is low over the Balkan peninsula. It is a fresh breeze accompanied by fine weather and light clouds. Meltemi (Etesians) : During the summer in the Aegean Sea, the prevailing winds of the main circulation are due chiefly to the deep continental depression centered over the north-west of India. These winds are known as meltemi by the Turks and etesians by the Greeks.

They blow from a direction which may be anywhere between north-east and north-west according to the character of the country surrounding the region concerned; meltemi weather is ordinarily fine and clear, the northerly winds tempering the fierce summer heat of the region. Khamsin : This name is generally understood to apply to dry, dusty and mostly hot southerly winds in Egypt, and the Red Sea, similar to the dry sirocco further west. The khamsin is not limited to any single wind direction, but is associated, rather, with the dryness, the heat and the dust-laden atmosphere. Khamsin winds blow in front of depressions moving eastward over the Mediterranean or through northern Africa, and the name is frequently applied both to the depressions themselves and to the characteristic weather which accompanies them. They are most frequent in the spring, from February to June. The most famous winds of the world The most famous winds of the world Some winds have standard behaviors. Planet Earth is inhabited by several regional winds which appear and blow with pattern rules. Air temperature, land temperature, water temperature, mountains and geographical locations play critical roles in the behavior of the famous winds of the world.

Windsurfers, kitesurfers and also wave-powered water sports rely on special winds to get quality surf sessions. Consistency and power are important issues when it comes to wind and board sports. After learning what is wind and how wind is formed, it's important to know what are the best winds in your region for windsurfing, kitesurfing and even riding waves. With good anemometers , you can easily check the wind speed and air pressure. Cloud types also tell us much about weather patterns, while the Beaufort Wind Force Scale relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land. Famous winds have their working schedule, too. Some winds blow strong in the morning and fade out during the afternoon. Other winds have special requirements and will only appear in drastic temperature changes. So, what are the most famous winds of the world? Abrolhos: a violent squall blowing off the Southeastern coast of Brazil, between May and August. Alizé: also known as trade wind; blows in the tropics predominantly from the Northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the Southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.

Bora: a gusty wind which blows in the Adriatic Sea, and affects Croatia, Greece, Russia and Turkey during wintertime. Brickfielder: a hot and dry wind that blows in the desert of Southern Australia, during the summer season. Calima: a dust wind originating in the Sahara, which blows through the Canary Islands, in winter. Cers: a quite violent dry and clear Northwest or North wind affecting the Southwest of France, near the Gulf of Lion. Chinook: a Katabatic, dry and effective wind that melts snow in the Pacific Northwest of USA and Canada. Diablo: hot, dry and offshore wind blowing in the San Francisco Bay Area, during spring and fall. Etesian: strong, dry, north winds of the Aegean Sea which blow from about mid-May to mid-September, hitting Greece and Turkey. Föhn: a Katabatic, dry mountain wind that can raise the air temperature very quickly over the Alps into Central Europe. Halny: a type of Föhn wind that blows in Southern Poland and Slovakia; can destroy roofs and cause avalanches.

Hamsin: a dry, hot and dusty local wind blowing in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, between March and May. Harmattan: a dry and dusty West African trade wind blowing south from the Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea, between November and March; it causes a haze in the sky. Helm: a strong north-easterly wind which blows in Cumbria, England. Levante: a warm, east to northeast wind that runs in the Alboran Channel and is funneled through the Strait of Gibraltar; strong Levante winds produce heavy swell. Mistral: a strong, cold and usually dry regional wind that affects the Southeastern region of France and the entire Mediterranean Sea. Monsoon: a seasonal reversing wind that bring precipitation to South Asia. Pampero: a strong squall that occurs over the Pampas of Argentina and Uruguay, between October and January; brings a considerable drop in temperature, severe rain, thunderstorms and is followed by a cold, dry, gusty wind. Santa Ana: a hot, dry easterly or northeasterly wind and blows from the pass and river valley of Santa Ana, in Southern California; very common in Los Angeles and also known as Sundowner.

Simoom: a suffocating, strong, dry, dust-laden local wind that blows in the Sahara, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Syria and the deserts of Arabian Peninsula. Sirocco: a Mediterranean wind that comes from the Sahara and reaches hurricane speeds in North Africa and Southern Europe. Tramontana: a cold wind from the north or northeast tinged with frigid air from the Alps and northern Apennines, particularly to the west coast of Italy and Northern Corsica. Vendaval: a strong, wet and moist south-west wind associated with cyclonic activity across the Iberian Peninsula; blows during the wet winter season, from November to April and comes with violent squalls and thunder. Zonda: a hot wind of the eastern slopes of the Andes, in central Argentina; starts during the afternoon, between May and November.

Question: What name is given to the cold, dry, strong wind that blows down the Rhone valley to the Mediterranean coast?
Answer: MISTRAL