EAST WIND (Heb.: qadim): A notable climatic feature of Israel in which powerful winds blow from east to west, negating the normal sea breeze from the Mediterranean. Occurring within a 50 day period in early fall, these winds are known today as khamsin (derived from the Arabic for 50) or sirocco. They are notable for their strength (often 60+ MPH), extremely low humidity (often under 7%), and intensely hot weather (40˚ temperature increases within hours have been recorded). Capable of reducing green crops to dry, brown husks in a single day; they also spawn wild fires. These winds were viewed as an instrament of God’s judgement, being known as “the wind of the LORD” (Is. 59:19; most notably Hos. 13:15). This same weather pattern is noted in Gen. 41:6; Is. 27:8; Jer. 4:11; Luke 12:55; and James 1:11.

NORTHEASTER (Gk: eurakulon): Mentioned only in Acts 27:14, it is a compound word meaning “north and east wind.” Named for the major storm systems which can develop throughout the winter, they are a major concern for mariners on the Mediterranean Sea. Typically these storms blow from the north-northeast (30˚ north of east) and were the reason that shipping virtually ceased in the Roman world from November through February. The great danger was that the wind would either capsize the large-sailed barges or drive ships out of control into the shallows of the Syrtes, the quicksand off the Libyan coast. These winds are known today as the grigale.