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What is the mistral wind that's causing the Marseille fire?

The "Mistral", a wind that can reach 70 kph, is causing a wildfire to spread in the suburbs of Marseille.

The fire had advanced at times by over 1 km/minute, but now it has been contained. The front line is still at risk of moving forward, as the Mistral will blow throughout the evening and night.

What is the MISTRAL WIND?

The Mistral, a cold, dry and strong wind blowing from the north or the northwest across the Rhone valley in southern France to the Mediterranean Sea.

The geography of the region, especially the funnel-shaped Rhone Valley, shapes the wind, which speeds up as it moves to the south. The word Mistral is derived from "mistrau", which means "masterly" in Occitan.

It is known to blow clear, dry air under bright blue skies. It impacts agriculture, architecture, and the daily life of Provence and its surrounding areas.

When does the MISTRAL WIND blow?

Mistrals can occur any time of the year, but are most common in winter and spring.

This occurs when a system of high pressure over the Atlantic Ocean or Northern France meets with a system of low pressure over the western Mediterranean. The pressure difference pushes the air to the south, and it intensifies when it passes through Rhone Valley.

Wind can last for a few days or even longer.

How powerful is the mistral wind?

Mistral is Europe's strongest regional wind. The Mistral is a powerful regional wind that can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h. However, gusts are often higher, exceeding 100 km/h. It has even been measured at 120 kph.

It can also damage crops, cause trees to fall and disrupt air and road traffic. The Mistral can also cause dangerous conditions for sailors and whip up the waves. Mistral has its own challenges but also benefits. It dries out the many vineyards and olive trees in southern France reducing the spread of fungal diseases.

Vincent van Gogh's Pine Trees Against a Red Sky With Setting Sun captures the unique weather and light of this region in his paintings. (Editing by Richard Lough & Timothy Heritage)

(source: Reuters)