sirocco
/sɪˈrɒkəʊ
/(also scirocco)
noun (plural siroccos)
A hot wind, often dusty or rainy, blowing from North Africa across the Mediterranean to southern Europe.The warm sirocco wind blowing up from the Sahara can make diving conditions rough off southern coasts in spring and summer....
- The sirocco of North Africa can afflict the vineyards of southern Europe, occasionally reaching France.
- The warm sirocco that blows off the Sahara often makes the sea rough along southern shores, and all diving is then done on the north shore.
Origin
Early 17th century: via French from Italian scirocco, based on Spanish Arabic šalūq 'east wind'.