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Which wind affects Marseille during winter?

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View of the old port of Marseille, France, with numerous boats docked in the harbor and the city's terracotta-roofed buildings rising up a hill, topped by the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. — Marseille Seaside view of the Old Port of Marseille, France.

During the winter, Marseille is significantly affected by the Mistral, a cold, dry, and powerful wind that blows from the northwest.1

This wind originates in the north and travels down the Rhône River valley toward the Mediterranean Sea. As it is funneled through the narrow valley, the wind intensifies due to a "jet effect," occasionally reaching high velocities that can cause damage to crops. While Marseille generally experiences a mild winter, the Mistral frequently impacts the city with considerable force during the coldest months of December and January.21