Bise

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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.

It blows from the north-east in Switzerland.

The term comes from the french word that literally means a "peck on the cheek" and is used to describe the salutory kiss common in France.