A hot, often dust-laden wind that blows northward out of the Sahara Desert across the Mediterranean Sea into Southern Europe, picking up moisture as it crosses the water and frequently arriving humid rather than dry, sometimes depositing a fine coating of reddish Saharan dust on cars and buildings as far away as the Alps. The sirocco has been a recognized feature of Mediterranean weather since antiquity, associated in regional folklore with irritability and unease during its multi-day episodes.
Facts
PeriodicityMost common in autumn and spring, peaking in March and November, with individual episodes lasting from half a day to several days. 1 ScaleCan reach speeds up to 100 km/h, occasionally reaching hurricane speeds in North Africa and Southern Europe. 1 First DescribedName derives from the Arabic surūq, the verbal noun of saraqa, related to the east. 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceAfter crossing the Mediterranean the wind picks up moisture, producing rainfall mixed with red Saharan dust known locally as blood rain in southern Italy. 1 Sources
1. Sirocco, Wikipedia
Effects section
Sirocco winds with speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph; 54 kn) are most common during autumn and spring. They reach a peak in March and in November.
Lead section
a Mediterranean wind that comes from the Sahara and can reach hurricane speeds in North Africa and Southern Europe
Names section
Sirocco derives from šurūq (Arabic: شروق), verbal noun of šaraqa, related to the East
Effects section
While passing over the Mediterranean Sea, the sirocco picks up moisture; this results in rainfall in the southern part of Italy, known locally as "blood rain" due to the red sand mixed with the falling rain.
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