harmattan

harmattan
    n 1: a dusty wind from the Sahara that blows toward the western
         coast of Africa during the winter
    

Harmattan \Har*mat"tan\ (h[aum]r*m[a^]t"tan), n. [F. harmattan,
   prob. of Arabic origin.]
   A dry, hot wind, prevailing on the Atlantic coast of Africa,
   in December, January, and February, blowing from the interior
   or Sahara. It is usually accompanied by a haze which obscures
   the sun.
   [1913 Webster]
    

Sirocco \Si*roc"co\ (s[i^]*r[o^]k"k[-o]), n.; pl. {Siroccos}
   (s[i^]*r[o^]k"k[=o]z). [It. sirocco, scirocco, Ar. shorug,
   fr. sharq the rising of the sun, the east, fr, sharaca to
   rise as the sun. Cf. {Saracen}.]
   1. An oppressive, relaxing wind from the Libyan deserts,
      chiefly experienced in Italy, Malta, and Sicily.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. In general, any hot dry wind of cyclonic origin, blowing
      from arid or heated regions, including the desert wind of
      Southern California, the {harmattan} of the west coasts of
      Africa, the hot winds of Kansas and Texas, the {kamsin} of
      Egypt, the {leste} of the Madeira Islands, and the
      {leveche} of Spain.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]