Sirocco

Sirocco

A Sirocco is a south wind originating from the Sahara and similar North African regions. It arises from a warm, dry, tropical airmass that is pulled northward by low pressure cells moving eastward across the Mediterranean Sea. The hot, dry, continental air mixes with the cooler, wet air of the maritime cyclone, and the counter-clockwise circulation of the low propels the mixed air across the southern coasts of Europe.

The Sirocco causes dusty, dry conditions along the northern coast of Africa, storms in the Mediterranean Sea, and cold, wet weather in Europe. The Sirocco's duration may be a half day or many days. Many people attribute health problems to the Sirocco either because of the heat and dust along the African coastal regions or the cool dampness in Europe. The dust within the Sirocco winds can degrade mechanical devices and invade domiciles.

These winds with speeds of almost 100 kmh are most common during the spring.