Winds of Europe Trivia Quiz

The Helm is a cold wind that mainly affects the Pennines and Cumbria in northern England. It is often accompanied by a unique cloud formation known as the Helm Bar, which appears over the Pennine hills. This wind is most common in late autumn and winter, bringing turbulent and cold conditions to the region.

It can be strong and gusty, sometimes causing local disturbances, and is notable for its influence on the weather in Cumbria.

The Tramontana is a cold, strong wind that sweeps down from the Pyrenees and affects the north-eastern regions of Spain, especially Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. It is most common in winter and early spring, bringing cold, dry air and clear skies.

The Tramontana is known for its intensity and can reach high speeds, significantly cooling temperatures in the region. Its name comes from the Latin "transmontanus", meaning "over the mountains".

The Levanter is a warm, humid wind that blows from the east across the Strait of Gibraltar, mainly affecting southern Spain and Gibraltar. It typically occurs during the summer and autumn, bringing clouds and humidity to the region. The wind is known to create foggy conditions around the Rock of Gibraltar due to its interaction with the local topography.

The Mistral is a strong, cold wind that blows from the north or north-west across the Rhône Valley in southern France and into the Mediterranean. It is strongest in the winter and spring months, although it can occur all year round. The Mistral is known for bringing clear, dry air and cold conditions, often affecting coastal regions such as Provence and the Côte d'Azur.

The Föhn is a warm, dry wind that descends the leeward side of mountain ranges, most notably the Alps. It occurs when moist air rises on the windward side of a mountain and loses its moisture as precipitation, leading to warmer, drier air on the opposite side.

The Föhn is common in Switzerland, Austria and southern Germany, particularly during the spring and autumn, and is associated with sudden temperature increases.

The Halny is a warm, gusty wind that blows down the slopes of the Tatra Mountains in Poland and Slovakia. Similar to the Föhn, it is a type of wind that occurs mainly in spring and autumn. The Halny can cause rapid warming, melting snow and increased avalanche danger. It is known for its sudden intensity and can last for several days.

The Kosava is a cold, gusty wind that blows from the north-east, mainly affecting Serbia, Montenegro and parts of Romania. It is most common in late autumn and winter, bringing clear, dry and cold conditions. The wind can last for several days and is often strongest in the Danube valley, where it accelerates between mountain ranges.

The Scirocco is a hot, dry wind that originates in the Sahara Desert and blows across the Mediterranean Sea to southern Europe, particularly Italy, Greece and the Balkans. It typically occurs in spring and autumn, bringing hot, dusty air and higher humidity as it crosses the sea.

The Scirocco can create uncomfortable, oppressive conditions, especially when mixed with Mediterranean humidity.

The Bora is a cold wind that blows from the north-east and mainly affects the Adriatic coast, including Croatia, Slovenia and north-eastern Italy. It is most common in winter and is characterised by strong gusts and dry, clear air. Bora can reach dangerous speeds, sometimes exceeding 200 km/h, and is known to cause sudden drops in temperature.

The Meltemi is a dry, northerly wind that blows across the Aegean Sea, mainly affecting Greece and Turkey. It is most common during the summer months, providing relief from the intense heat of the Mediterranean sun. A seasonal wind, the Meltemi is known for its consistency and cooling effect, often creating favourable sailing conditions but rough seas for smaller vessels.