[Sky]
March 20 is the day of the vernal equinox, after which the length of the day will gradually become longer than that of the night. On the equinox day the Sun will cross the celestial equator and equalize day and night. That will start an astronomical spring in the northern hemisphere.
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[Earth]
Meteorological Spring and Astronomical Spring are two ways of defining the start of spring, but they are based on different criteria. Meteorological Spring refers to the three calendar months of March, April, and May in the Northern Hemisphere (or September, October, and November in the Southern Hemisphere). These months are considered to be spring because they generally have milder temperatures and more rainfall than the preceding winter months, and the days start to become longer.
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[Sky]
Across Iraq, Kuwait and the countries bordering the Persian Gulf, a well‑known regional wind called the Shamal can turn clear days into dusty, hazy ones. This dry northwesterly wind plays an important role in shaping the climate and dust storms of the region. Where Does the Shamal Blow? The Shamal affects:
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[Sky]
Across West Africa, millions of people know the arrival of a special seasonal wind: the Harmattan. This dry, dusty wind blows from the Sahara Desert toward the Atlantic Ocean, shaping the weather, the sky and daily life during the cool, dry season. When and Where Does the Harmattan Blow? The Harmattan is most common from late November to March, especially in:
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[Sky]
In southern Mexico, a powerful regional wind known as the Tehuano (or Tehuantepecer) can turn the Gulf of Tehuantepec into one of the windiest spots in the eastern Pacific. These strong northerly winds blow through a narrow gap in the mountains, linking the Gulf of Mexico with the Pacific Ocean.
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[Sky]
In parts of western North America, there is a famous wind that can turn a freezing winter day into a mild, spring-like afternoon in just a few hours. This wind is called the Chinook, often nicknamed the “snow-eater” because of how fast it melts snow. Where Do Chinook Winds Blow?
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[Sky]
Along portions of the South African coast, especially in the south and east of the country, a special wind known as the Berg wind can bring hot, dry conditions right to the shoreline. The name “Berg” comes from the Afrikaans word for “mountain”, reflecting the role of high ground in shaping this wind.
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[Sky]
If you visit the Adriatic coast in winter, you might meet one of Europe’s most dramatic regional winds: the Bora. It is a cold, dry and often violent wind that can transform calm coastal weather into a rush of icy gusts in a matter of hours. Where the Bora Blows The Bora is best known along the northern and eastern Adriatic Sea, especially in:
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[Sky]
On the eastern slopes of the Andes in western Argentina, there is a powerful regional wind called the Zonda. Like the Chinook in North America or the Föhn in Europe, it is a warm, dry downslope wind – but with its own local flavour and impacts. Where Does the Zonda Blow?
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[Sky]
At the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, a special regional wind often makes its presence felt: the Levante. This moist, sometimes persistent easterly can bring cloud, drizzle and rough seas to the gateway between Europe and Africa. Where Does the Levante Blow? The Levante mainly affects:
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