French Riviera the weather between various locations. Strong winds such as the Mistral, a cold dry wind from the northwest or from the east, are another characteristic, particularly in the winter. Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes département are sheltered by the Alps. The winds are usually gentle, from the sea to the land, though sometimes the mistral blows strongly from the northwest, or, turned by the mountains, from the east. In 1956 a mistral from the northwest reached at Nice Airport. Sometimes, in summer, the sirocco brings high temperatures and reddish desert sand from the Sahara. (See Winds of Provence.) Rain can be
USS Sirocco PC ships such as Sirocco complete a variety of mission sets that has expanded since the transfer of the ships and associated support structures in Naval Surface Warfare. As of 2009, PC ships deployed in Bahrain primarily conducted Maritime Security Operations in the Persian Gulf with a concentration towards anti-piracy. In 2009, "Sirocco" completed phase 1 of a modernization program to extend the useful lives of these hard working ships. Upgrades included new computer systems and satellite communications, as well as upgraded AC systems and a Rafeal Typhoon MK38 MOD II gun weapons system replacing the previously fitted MK96 mount.