Mistral is a swift, dry, cold northerly wind that blows down from the western Alps and the plateau of southern France and out over the Mediterranean Sea. The cold, heavy air from the highlands moves faster and faster as it approaches the warmer, lighter air over the sea in winter. This causes gusty, strong winds, as the cold air sinks to the level of the sea and the warm air rises above it. The mistral may cause extensive frost damage to plants. It is especially bad for the vineyards of southern France. The mistral often blows for 100 days a year.
