in the Languedoc, the Tramontana runs out of steam

The Tramontana, a northwest wind, is known for its impressive squalls in Languedoc and Roussillon. But he is running out of steam. There were only 90 days of gusts last year compared to the usual 122, a record since 1981. This decrease worries the arborists because some trees, like apricot trees, need this wind. “The Tramontane is very important at the time of flowering because it maintains a dry climate and it avoids a very harmful disease”explains Pierre Pratx, arborist.

The Tramontana is expected to decline further by 2100

Three years ago, due to a lack of wind, a fungus proliferated on its trees. Rock Pratx thus lost half of its harvest, i.e. more than 100,000 euros in losses for the orchard. Rising temperatures have disrupted the Tramontana. This wind also plays an essential role for marine ecosystems, for example by cooling the water at the surface. By 2100, the number of Tramontana days is expected to decrease further, although the wind speed will remain stable.