Bise 2265988 210317955 2008-05-05T13:19:04Z NyAp 5061914 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 208800993 by [[Special:Contributions/208.122.77.44|208.122.77.44]] ([[User talk:208.122.77.44|talk]]) obvious vandalism removed ==France== The '''bise''' is a northern wind, cold and generally dry, that blows from the north-east of [[France]] to the south of the [[Massif Central]], where it is called ''bise noire'' ("black bise"). The bise can also come from the north-east in [[Touraine]] and [[Quercy]] and even from the east in [[Deux-Sèvres]]. Blowing year-round, the bise is usually accompanied by clear blue skies. However, it can sometimes bring heavy black clouds, storms and hail in autumn and winter. ==Switzerland== In [[Switzerland]] the bise blows from the north-east, above all during the winter months, and is due to a high-pressure cell north-west of [[Switzerland]].<ref>Martin Beniston, ''From Turbulence to Climate: Numerical Investigations of the Atmosphere'', Springer 1998, ISBN 3540634959, p.186</ref> The effects of the bise are strongest in [[Geneva]], situated in a narrow passage between the Jura mountains in the West and the Alps in the South. Many foreign travellers to this Swiss city have commented upon it.<ref>Fredrika Bremer, ''Two Years in Switzerland and Italy'', Hurst and Blackett 1861, p.258</ref><ref>''The Century: A Popular Quarterly'' by Making of America Project, The Century Co. 1909, p.463</ref> ==Etymology== The term entered Middle English from French ''bise''. Its origin is unknown.<ref>W. R. Trumble; A. Stevenson, eds.,''Shorter Oxford Dictionary'', Oxford University Press 2002</ref> The Alemannic Wikipedia article ''Biise'' claims it to derive from Old Alemannic ''b&icirc;sa'' of unknown meaning.<ref>[http://als.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bise Biise (Article in Alemannic German)]</ref> ==References== <references /> [[Category:Winds]] {{France-stub}} {{Climate-stub}} [[als:Bise]] [[de:Bise]] [[fr:Bise (vent)]] [[lt:Bizas]] [[pl:Bise]]