Scirocco

Scirocco, also spelled sirocco, is a warm, dry wind that originates in the Sahara and travels northward across the North African coast and the Mediterranean to southern Europe. The term is used chiefly for Mediterranean winds and is often associated with high temperatures and dusty conditions. The name likely derives from Arabic sharq, meaning east, via Italian and other languages.

In meteorology, the sirocco is produced when a high-pressure system over North Africa creates a southeasterly flow that transports hot desert air across the sea. Depending on moisture, it can take on a humid, oppressive character and may raise afternoon temperatures by 10–20 °C (18–36 °F). It frequently carries Saharan dust, reducing visibility and sometimes affecting air quality and respiratory comfort for several days.

Geographically, the sirocco commonly affects the southern and central Mediterranean, including Italy, Spain, Greece, Tunisia, and parts of southern France, with effects varying by season and altitude.

In addition to its meteorological meaning, Scirocco is the name of a Volkswagen car line. The original Scirocco was a two-door, front-engine, front-wheel-drive coupe designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and produced by Volkswagen from 1974 to 1981 (Mk1), with a longer variant produced until 1992 (Mk2). In 2008, Volkswagen revived the name for a compact sport coupe based on the Golf platform, produced until 2017. The Scirocco combined sporty styling with practical hatchback underpinnings and appealed to buyers seeking a more stylish alternative to typical compact cars.