Description

The term Sirocco is an all-inclusive name given to southeast to southwest winds originating as hot, dry desert-air over Northern Africa that can become hot and subsequently humid while flowing northward into the southern Mediterranean basin.

Discussion

Siroccos occur in advance of surface and upper level depressions moving eastward across the southern Mediterranean Sea or northern Africa. These cyclones originate either over North Africa or sometimes south of the Alps, primarily in the Gulf of Genoa in the latter case.