Mistral

Mistral (also Mistraou and Mastral), a north-west wind which at certain seasons of the year prevails on the south coast of France. Its approach is heralded by a sudden change of the temperature, from the most genial warmth to piercing cold; the air is felt to be purer, and more easily inhaled, the azure of the sky is undimmed by cloud, and the stars shine by night with extraordinary and sparkling brightness. The mistral then comes in sudden gusts, struggling with the local ærial currents, but its fast-increasing violence soon overcomes all opposition. In a few hours it has dried up the soil, dispersed the vapours of the atmosphere, and raised a dangerous tumult among the waters of the Mediterranean. The mistral blows, at intervals, with its greatest force from the end of autumn to the beginning of spring.