Mistral (wind) of mistral is weaker in the east of Provence and the Côte d'Azur. The mistral is not always synonymous with clear skies. When a low pressure front over the Mediterranean approaches the coast from the southeast, the weather can change quickly for the worse, and the mistral and its clear sky changes rapidly to an east wind bringing humid air and threatening clouds. The position of the low-pressure front creates a flow of air from the northwest or the northeast, channeled through the Rhône Valley. If this low-pressure area moves back toward the southeast, the mistral will quickly clear the
Sirocco (parrot) thousands of people. Sirocco appeared at Zealandia wildlife sanctuary in October 2011 and at Maungatautari Ecological Island in 2012. In 2015, he visited Zealandia again for another six week residence. As of Sirocco's 20th birthday on 23 March 2017, his whereabouts were unknown to the team of scientists tasked with performing routine health checks. On 7 February 2018, a release from the Department of Conservation announced that Sirocco had been found and fitted with a new transmitter. In 2009, zoologist Mark Carwardine and television presenter Stephen Fry visited Codfish Island as part of a series for the "Last Chance to